Leeds United are expected to sell a number of players this summer in order to balance the books after Sunday’s play-off final defeat, and one player is already keen on leaving Elland Road.
Leeds were left to deal with play-off heartbreak for the sixth time in the club’s history on Sunday as The Whites suffered a 1-0 loss to Southampton, with Adam Armstrong scoring the only goal of the game.
Armstrong scored his 24th goal of the season with a neat finish past Illan Meslier, while Leeds could not get an equaliser. The Whites pushed and pushed, but Southampton’s rearguard held firm on Sunday.
That is even with winger Dan James smashing an effort across the bar and having another saved by Alex McCarthy, after coming off the bench. He replaced Willy Gnonto just after the hour mark at Wembley.
With Leeds losing and facing another season in the Championship, Italy star Gnonto is keen to leave the club just hours after starting for The Whites according to Calcio Mercato reporter Francesco Guerrieri.
Willy Gnonto wants Leeds United exit and fancies Serie A return
Gnonto joined Leeds from Zurich and has spent the last two years in Yorkshire, but it comes after leaving his home nation while at Inter Milan to move to Switzerland and now, Gnonto wants to go back there.
That is according to Guerrieri, who says Gnonto is already pushing for an exit despite starting at Wembley and will consider offers from his home country as a ‘priority’. He has a contract at Leeds until June 2027.
Guerrieri’s post is translated as: “Wilfried Gnonto wants to return to Italy. The Leeds striker is looking for a new club, if offers from Serie A arrive they will have priority.”
Jon Newsome predicted Gnonto and four others to depart Leeds
Former Leeds man Newsome spoke after the 1-0 loss to Southampton and he claims that five key players at Elland Road will leave this summer, four of which started on Sunday with one being on-loan Joe Rodon.
A permanent deal seems unlikely now Leeds aren’t promoted. He also predicted Gnonto to go, as well as Crysencio Summerville while expecting interest in both Dan James and Ethan Ampadu come the window.
There are others who may attract interest too, in the likes of Illan Meslier and Pascal Struijk who have caught the eye in the past. It’s going to be a summer of uncertainty for Leeds, after losing on Sunday.