49ers Enterprises have done well at tying some of Leeds United’s best youngsters to new contracts recently.
Earlier this year, Leeds were able to agree a new four-year-deal with Archie Gray which eventually became active upon his 18th birthday nearly two weeks ago.
Big clubs have already been sniffing around Gray after such an incredible breakthrough season, but Leeds is his boyhood club and so having him on a long-term deal is massive.
Mateo Joseph then followed him a few weeks later and while first team minutes have been slightly harder to come by for him, his potential is there for all to see.
The 20-year-old really announced himself on the big stage at Leeds with two goals in the FA Cup tie at Chelsea, and he is looking more and more ready for regular football with every appearance he makes.
However, it is vital the 49ers do not rest on their laurels after deals for Gray and Joseph, with it now obvious who should be next on the list for another contract.
49ers now must hand 20-year-old Leeds player a new deal
Back in January reports had emerged that a new deal was close to being agreed with Willy Gnonto, though it has gone a little quieter on that front recently.
LeedsUnited.News spoke to transfer expert Graeme Bailey about the situation earlier this week, and he said that terms had virtually been agreed between the two parties.
At the time rumours of a new contract emerged,Gnonto had been in a really tough run of form, but in the two months since, he has finally returned to his best.
Having come into the side due to Dan James‘ injury, Gnonto has scored six goals in nine league starts since, with his confidence levels now back to where they were just over a year ago.
After such a fine run of form, there would be no better time to reward him with a new contract ahead of the summer, so Leeds are in an even better position to be in control of his future.
Gnonto shares what Farke told him in tough Leeds times
As mentioned, Gnonto has not had it easy this season and between the period of mid-October and the end of January, he started just twice in the Championship.
That was primarily due to the form of Crysencio Summerville and James, but with his lack of match rhythm, it made it impossible to show his best whenever he did play.
Clearly his confidence levels were affected by it, and in a recent interview with the Official Leeds United Podcast, Gnonto has shared how Farke managed to keep his spirits up.
He said: “He is quite fair because there have been many moments this season where I haven’t been at the top, and he was there telling me, not that I needed him to because I expect a lot of myself.
“But he was there telling me in training when he thinks I can do better. But when you do good things he is also there telling you and I think that’s fair, because it has to go both ways.”