Leeds United moved a lot of players on this summer after having difficulty last year. Some players have gotten off to a great start to life at their new clubs.
Last summer, the Whites were only able to secure temporary moves for their unwanted players.
They all returned to Elland Road this summer, and the 49ers did a great job of letting most of them go. Leeds managed to sell Joe Gelhardt, Jack Harrison and Pascal Struijk.
Max Wober’s contract was terminated, allowing the club to take his wages off the books.
Leeds also found a way to move Largie Ramazani and Joel Piroe, as they were not in the first team plans for this season.
Leeds United star opens up on leaving club this summer
Wilfried Gnonto
Credit: Imago
Wilfried Gnonto was one of the more surprising departures near the end of the window.
He was set to stay before Fiorentina made a move just a few days before the deadline. Leeds United accepted the loan offer, agreeing to it if they managed to get a replacement.
They signed Jean-Matteo Bahoya on deadline day.
Gnonto has already made his first appearance for Fiorentina in Serie A. In a press conference this week, the winger opened up about leaving England to join the Italian side.
“I really hoped it would go through, as I needed something different, seeing as last season was not very positive. I also think for international duty, playing in Italy was the best solution.” Gnonto said (quotes via Tuttomercatoweb).
“That Leeds squad was young, but that was the secret, as we were all starting out together on this adventure. Another decisive factor was the fans, as in Leeds everyone supports United, just as in Florence everyone supports Fiorentina.”
49ers made a good decision on deadline day
Wilfried Gnonto had fallen out of favour and was not going to play much this season, so Leeds gave him a chance at a new environment in Italy.
Gnonto can now earn a permanent stay at his new club. From how things went last year, him returning would not be ideal for either party. Leeds would also make a nice fee on the winger.
Bringing Jean-Matteo Bahoya in was also a huge gamble.
But the French winger is highly rated and could become a huge success at Elland Road going forward.
Swapping Gnonto for Bahoya was a great decision by the 49ers.
