Georginio Rutter and Willy Gnonto have given their reaction to the big transfer story out of Leeds United today with the latter’s future at Elland Road also still uncertain.
Gnonto is one of the players likely to attract big money interest this summer following Leeds‘ failure to win promotion last season.
The 20-year-old had been eyeing an exit from Elland Road 12 months and even handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move.
However, Leeds held firm in their stance he was not for sale and so Gnonto stayed for another year, but it will be interesting to see how he goes about his future this time around.
Daniel Farke promised he would not get a third chance if he tried to pull off something similar in the future and so that is the dilemma that faces him this summer.
Gnonto and Rutter react to Archie Gray’s exit from Leeds
Gnonto and Rutter were both actually among a quartet of players immediately tipped to be leaving Leeds this summer after the play-off final defeat to Southampton.
Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray were the other two, the latter of which has now sealed a move to Tottenham, while the former is wanted by PSG.
Gray’s departure was officially announced earlier today and a statement released by Leeds confirmed the club are indeed heartbroken to have let him go at such an early point in his career.
The 18-year-old had been in no rush to leave, was adored by all the supporters and recognised as an elite talent by all of his teammates at Leeds last season.
Gray wrote a message on Instagram to express his gratitude to all his teammates, the coaching staff and supporters for the 11 years he has spent at Leeds, with Rutter and Gnonto just two of several past and present players to have responded in the comments.
It would be fair to say that both have said what everyone else is thinking regarding Gray’s exit, and hopefully neither of them follow him out of the door this summer.
What did Gray say in parting message to Leeds fans?
Gray certainly had a lot to say to Leeds supporters about the time he has spent at the club in his parting message on social media earlier today.
It is clear just how loved he was by everyone whom he worked with and played alongside at Elland Road, and he will be a huge miss next season.
He said: “I can’t thank everyone at Leeds United enough for the past 11 years, from all the coaches I’ve had from when I first came at seven years old, to all the coaching staff now.
“I have enjoyed every second of my time at the club and have so many memories for life, from watching in the stands to playing on the pitch. I would also like to say a massive thank you to all of the managers I have had, but especially Daniel Farke for trusting me this year and giving me the opportunity to play and teaching me so much about the game.
“I am so grateful for him and all the coaching staff. Along the way I have made great friends for life and I am also grateful for every teammate I’ve been with from the age of seven, to the teammates last season.
“And for the fans you are amazing and I can’t thank you enough for the support you have given me and hopefully Harry in the next few years to come. We will cross paths again.”
