FLORENCE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 07: Wilfried Gnonto of Italy in action during Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on September 07, 2023 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto wants to leave the Elland Road club in the January transfer window and is prioritizing a move to the Serie A, according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.
The Italy international was desperate to leave the Whites during the summer transfer window after they got relegated to the Championship at the end of his debut season.
However, a move to Everton fell through as Leeds refused to grant his transfer request, and he has since returned to the team after he was initially dropped due to disciplinary measures.
Gnonto still wants out and has told his agents to find him a new club ahead of the winter transfer window.
AS Roma first emerged for his services but could struggle to get a deal done due to their financial shortcomings, which has seen Lazio emerge for the Leeds star.
The sporting director of the Serie A club,,, Fabiani,,, has met with his agents, but the €25 million the West Yorkshire club is demanding has put them off.
Lazio is hoping Leeds will reduce the fees and is planning to open talks with CC’s side.
The 19-year-old clearly wants to leave the club as he is desperate to feature for Italy at Euro 2024, and he knows remaining in the championship could hinder his chances.
Gnonto has weighed in with a goal and an assist in nine games across all competitions this term after ending last term with two goals and four assists in 25 appearances.
Leeds could be forced to let him go in January if he insists on leaving,,, as there is no sense holding on to such a player, but Lazio or any other suitor will need to meet their demands to have a chance of getting a deal done.
They signed him for £3.8m (€4.4m) from FC Zurich in September 2022 on a five-year deal, but a 15% sell-on fee was included in the deal by the Swiss club, and Leeds will be putting that into consideration during negotiations with interested suitors.
