Leeds United have several decisions to make on their squad in the coming weeks as they look to refresh ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The Whites are already moving in the market and could be closing in on a club-record deal after reaching a verbal agreement with Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ousmane Diomande.
Leeds will also have to make moves to sign a new goalkeeper after it came to light that Manchester United are pushing to sign Karl Darlow on a free transfer this summer.
However, the club need to finalise a few departures sooner rather than later, and Jermaine Beckford believes one forward’s departure is almost inevitable in the upcoming transfer window.
The former Leeds star is insistent that Wilfried Gnonto will leave
Wilfried Gnonto was reduced to a bit-part player at Leeds last season, and has been frustrated about his lack of regular game time for a while.
Freiburg have been in talks to sign the winger, and Beckford conceded that the winger’s departure is only a matter of time in the upcoming transfer window.
He stressed that Gnonto remains a brilliant player, but believes that it is clear the winger has been frustrated, and he needs to play more to feel better about himself.
The former striker believes a summer departure would be the best outcome for all parties and feels Gnonto should move on from Leeds in search of a fresh start.
“I do think it’s inevitable, as much as it pains me to say, because I love Wilfried”, Beckford told The Yorkshire Post.
“I think he’s fantastic.
“He’s a funny guy. He’s a lovely guy, always has time for people. When you look at him on the pitch as well, he’s a brilliant football player, neat and tidy, very quick.
“He’s just frustrated. He’s gone from being a regular starter to being, with all due respect, a benchwarmer, a player that spends the majority of the time on the bench and then comes on for the last 5, 10, 15 minutes of games. As an attacking player, you thrive off confidence, and you don’t get much confidence when you’re sitting on the bench.
“I could see how disappointed he’s been with himself, not being able to force his way through into a regular starting position. I do think in terms of financials for the club, to see if we could get a decent amount of money for him as well, bringing a little bit of income, I do think it will be best for him to move on.”
He needs to leave Leeds
Following Daniel Farke’s tactical reshuffle midway through last season, it became increasingly apparent that Wilfried Gnonto no longer had an obvious place in Leeds United’s preferred system.
While the Italian continued to feature in cup competitions and was often called upon from the bench, his opportunities in the Premier League became far more limited, with regular starts proving difficult to come by.
Farke has always favoured consistency once he settles on a winning formula, and since the change in approach, Gnonto has found it tough to force his way back into the manager’s strongest team.
There was considerable interest in the winger during the January transfer window, but no move materialised, and he remained at Elland Road. This summer, however, the prospect of a departure appears far more realistic.
Should Gnonto leave, Leeds will be aiming to secure a substantial transfer fee, with any funds generated likely to be used to strengthen the squad as the club prepares for another Premier League campaign.
