With the 2025/26 campaign officially over and Premier League safety secured, Leeds United have already shifted their focus towards the upcoming summer transfer window.
Speaking after the defeat to West Ham United, Daniel Farke admitted he is exhausted after a long and demanding season and will take a short break in the coming days. Even so, preparations for next season are already well underway behind the scenes.
Leeds are expected to target reinforcements in several positions this summer as they look to improve both the depth of the squad and the overall quality of the starting lineup.
However, Leeds also need player sales to balance their books and the squad, and former defender Matthew Kilgallon is wary of watching Wilfried Gnonto leave the club.
The former Leeds star does not want to lose Wilfried Gnonto
Wilfried Gnonto has been a bit-part player at Leeds this season and has largely been an option from the bench in the second half of the Premier League season.
The Italian has already dropped a major hint about his potential exit from Elland Road, and is said to be frustrated by the lack of minutes this season.
Kilgallon has conceded that he would be absolutely gutted if Leeds decide to sell Gnonto, given his quality and what he can do when he is at his best.
However, he understands why Gnonto would want to leave, given that the lack of opportunities at Leeds has also led to him losing his place in the Italy squad.
Kilgallon told The Yorkshire Post: “For me, if he went, I would be absolutely gutted. I do like him. I could see that he’d want to play more.
“He’s probably not been involved in the Italy squad as much now because he’s not playing. It might be one, if there was anyone you actually did let go and [say] ‘go on then’, Willy would maybe be one of them.”
Talks are already underway for his transfer
Gnonto may have already played his last game for Leeds when he came on for the last 20-odd minutes against West Ham on the final day of the season.
Bundesliga club Freiburg have approached to sign him, and some talks have already taken place between the two teams over the Italian’s transfer window.
Leeds are trying to maximise their profits from a potential sale, while Freiburg are trying to sign the winger on an initial loan deal.
Gnonto is keen on the move as he wants to move on from Leeds and join a club where he will be a more prominent face in the squad.
