Everton have now had a bid turned down by Leeds United for 19-year-old attacker Wilfried Gnonto.
The ‘exceptional’ teenager has been heavily linked with a move to Goodison Park this summer and it seems that Everton have now made a £15m approach for the Italian.
However, as per reports in the Daily Mail, the Yorkshire club have rejected Everton’s opening offer and informed the Toffees that they intend on keeping the winger.
Leeds United’s relegation to the Championship has prompted a host of players to be linked with a move away from Elland Road this summer.
Indeed, alongside Gnonto, Everton have been linked with Jack Harrison, Crysencio Summerville and Rodrigo, who recently completed a move to Qatari side Al Rayyan for an undisclosed fee.
The Blues have clearly been eager to exploit Leeds United’s fire sale following their relegation, however securing Wilfried Gnonto’s signature may not be straight forward.
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Daniel Farke’s side have insisted that they will keep the youngster as they look to secure an immediate return to the Premier League next season.
Everton must not be deterred by failed bid for Wilfried Gnonto
Wilfried Gnonto was a bright spark in an otherwise disastrous season at Elland Road, and it is no surprise that the Yorkshire club are reluctant to lose their prodigious talent.
Indeed, the young winger was superb last season, though admitted that Ashley Young, Everton’s first signing in the Sean Dyche era, was his toughest opponent last year, claiming he was ‘annoying’.
As quoted by the Birmingham Mail, Gnonto said of Ashley Young: “The defender who put me in the most difficulty was Ashley Young.
Because he was annoying — he kept talking, making himself heard and getting inside my head. I stayed focused on the match and personally it went well, I even made an assist.”
Everton fans will no doubt be very pleased to hear Young make life so difficult for his opponent, though hopefully he will be linking up with Wilfried Gnonto at Goodison Park next season.