Last summer saw criticism launched at Leeds United for not being able to offload unwanted players. But this time around, the team have been able to move one from some players in this transfer window.
Daniel Farke mentioned that some players had to leave because they could not be promised playing time.
Sebastiaan Bornauw was implied to be one, as well as Joel Piroe and Wilfried Gnonto. And in this window, the team have loaned out all of them to different teams in Europe.
Leeds also did a great job of replacing them; bringing in Nico Elvedi and Jean-Matteo Bahoya.
Gnonto’s deal went through on transfer deadline day when the 49ers were able to reach an agreement for Bahoya.
Leeds United deal is in jeopardy after recent development
Wilfried Gnonto
Credit: Imago
The Leeds United loanee ended up at Fiorentina, where he has had a mixed start to the season.
Gnonto has one goal in four appearances so far for the Italian side, and has played a total of 175 minutes. The Serie A team have played seven games in all competitions this campaign.
It is expected that the winger will have a slow start to life after what happened earlier in the season.
After a run of three straight losses in the league, Fiorentina pulled the plug and sacked Fabio Grosso. They have since appointed Paolo Vanoli who has lead the team to two wins and a draw.
Wilfried Gnonto has started just one game under Vanoli, in the Coppa Italia among a rotated team.
But with how things are going, it is going to be difficult for Fiorentina to justify taking the £18 million buy option for the loanee.
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Why Fiorentina might not take the risk with Gnonto
£18 million is a huge outlay for a midtable Serie A side in 2026. The club already spent over £100 million in the summer window, but chose to loan Gnonto instead of buying him.
Which means that they are already unsure of the deal, and it would take a lot to convince them.
Now that the team seem to be stable and winning games with Gnonto on the bench, it could spell disaster for Leeds.
And for anyone who is not convinced, look no further than last year when Fiorentina loaned Jack Harrison for the second half of the year. He was not great and the Italian side did not bother with his sale clause.
