Fiorentina, the Italian Serie A club, has officially inquired about the availability of Wilfried Gnonto, the Italian international winger from Leeds United, as reported by Beren Cross and James Horncastle. Leeds United is open to letting him go but insists on securing a direct attacking replacement first. While Fiorentina has other targets, their approach remains preliminary. With Tuesday’s 11 PM deadline approaching, Leeds finds itself in a tricky waiting game.
The 22-year-old winger has made 13 appearances for the senior Italian national team, but his last season was underwhelming, totaling just 531 minutes over 23 Premier League matches, most of which were as a substitute. He recorded no goals and just one assist—disappointing statistics for a player who commanded a significant transfer fee. His performance has notably declined.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – APRIL 18: Wilfried Gnonto of Leeds United looks on during the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Elland Road on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
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Gnonto’s statistics from the 2025/26 season raise concerns: he completed no dribbles and had a ball-loss rate approaching 13% of his total touches, along with just 10 tackles won throughout the year. Such numbers do not align with the needs of Daniel Farke, who is building a possession-focused team structure. In Farke’s 4-2-3-1 setup, a winger reliant on chaotic play who fails to track back can hinder the team’s overall strategy.
His previous training boycott in an attempt to facilitate a move to Everton still looms large over his future at Elland Road. Although he expressed feeling “proper Leeds,” mere words cannot mend a strained relationship, particularly when playing time is scarce.
Leeds United Faces a Crucial Decision
With a market valuation hovering around €16 million, now is a prime opportunity for Leeds to consider a sale. Fiorentina is in need of a left-sided attacker amidst uncertainty surrounding Albert Gudmundsson, presenting a chance for Leeds to leverage this interest instead of hesitating.
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Club insiders have suggested that Gnonto’s potential departure could be linked to a possible loan deal for Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk. His direct playing style aligns perfectly with Farke’s ambitions for the frontline. With new arrivals like Harry Wilson and Largie Ramazani already complicating the squad dynamics, retaining an unhappy and tactically mismatched player beyond Tuesday would only add unnecessary burdens to a team striving for Premier League survival.