Everton are closing in on signing Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto in a deal worth around €22million (£19million).
Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto is allegedly closing in on an immediate return to the Premier League with Everton.
That is according to SportItalia reporter Michele Criscitiello over in Italy, who claims that a €22million deal is now close.
That would see Everton pay around £19million for Gnonto in a major addition to Sean Dyche’s attacking options.
SportItalia’s full report claims that Gnonto is ‘very close’ to joining Everton and that Aston Villa are ‘in the background’.
Villa have been keen on Gnonto but don’t seem likely to hijack Everton’s push to sign the Italian talent.
How reliable is the source?
Criscitiello may not be a huge name from the Italian transfer market scene like Fabrizio Romano or Gianluca Di Marzio but he has emerged as fairly reliable.
Criscitiello nailed the Gugilelmo Vicario to Tottenham transfer in June and was the first to report that Spurs had swooped in to beat Inter Milan to his signature.
Sure enough, Vicario was heading for London just a days hours later as Tottenham had wrapped up a deal.
Criscitiello reported heavily on Newcastle’s move for Sandro Tonali as well, so Everton fans may have something to get excited about with these Gnonto claims.
Wilfried Gnonto can bring a spark to Everton
Gnonto joined Leeds on deadline day in September 2022, completing a £3.8million move from Swiss side FC Zurich.
Leeds missed out on Cody Gakpo and Bamba Dieng on deadline day, so turned to Gnonto as a wildcard signing late in the window.
The 19-year-old made a big impact though and whilst two goals and four assists in 24 Premier League games may not sound incredible, Gnonto was a livewire in the Leeds attack.
Gnonto’s form tailed off a little towards the end of the season and it’s clear that there is still plenty of developing for him to do.
Gnonto is just so exciting on the ball and has been hailed as a ‘special talent’ by former Leeds stopper Paul Robinson.
The Italy international is unpredictable and dangerous in the final third, which is just what Everton need in order to progress under Dyche and avoid another relegation battle.
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