Inter Milan could make a surprise move for a Leeds United player in the coming weeks and months because of one crucial reason, after they qualified for the Champions League again.
Leeds are expected to cash in on a number of sellable assets and that includes Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray, Illan Meslier, Junior Firpo and Pascal Struijk. Gnonto is also a possible sale at Elland Road.
Gnonto, 20, has endure a difficult season after starring in the previous campaign following his move Zurich to Leeds. Refusing to play, he struggled to get into the side under Daniel Farke for the first half.
Then, in the second half, he was one of a number of Leeds players that came into the side and kept their place. Along with the likes of Patrick Bamford, Ilia Gruev and Firpo, Gnonto became first pick on the right.
Now, Gnonto is keen to leave Leeds after the club failed to get promotion and wants a return to his home country this summer. Passione Inter say they could now offer him that and for one very specific reason.
Inter Milan want to sign Leeds star Willy Gnonto
It is unclear how much Leeds want for Gnonto, but the 20-year-old is on the list at Simone Inzaghi’s side. Inter have got themselves back into the Champions League after cruising to the Serie A title by 19 points.
Inzaghi has starred as manager after swapping Lazio for the Nerrazzuri. He will want to build on the side he has built and signing younger players for the future is critical, as is bringing in homegrown talent.
The Champions League request that eight of a 25-man squad must be homegrown, and four of those eight must have been trained by the club for three years between the ages of 15 and 21 which Gnonto is.
Gnonto is one of three names on list to solve Inter problem
Inter want to increase their homegrown quota and certainly, the four they must have that are club-trained and Gnonto fits the bill. But the £4m signing is not the only former Inter player that the Nerrazzuri want.
Sassuolo’s Andrea Pinamonti and Verona’s Federico Bonazzoli could also be targeted to help Inter reach the quota requested by the Champions League. It could all come down to Leeds’ asking price for Gnonto.
But Inter will be interested, Gnonto will be very keen and Leeds want to sell. Talks should go smoothly if it reaches that stage but the one sticking point will be the asking price, with The 49ers keen to rake in cash.