Leeds United look stronger than ever after a solid start to the Premier League season. However, one fan favourite may never play for the club again.
Daniel Farke and the Leeds recruitment team seem to have made smart decisions in the summer transfer window, with a few new recruits emerging as stars early in their Elland Road careers.
However, Leeds also had to accept several loan offers to offload players who were not part of the club’s plans for the 2026/27 season, and some of them may still return.
But one Leeds fan favourite has been tipped to play his last game for the Whites as he does not appear to be in the long-term plans for Farke or the club.
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Wilfried Gnonto looks done at Leeds
Wilfried Gnonto joined Fiorentina on loan from Leeds on deadline day, and Adam Pope indicated that he can’t see him playing for Leeds again.
He stressed that, at the moment, five players are ahead of Gnonto in Leeds’ pecking order, and playing in Italy gives him a better chance of returning to the national team squad.
The Italian’s fortunes at Leeds worsened last season when Farke shifted systems and played a back three, which turned the club’s results around.
Leeds have not looked back since then, and there is no evidence the manager is preparing to return to a back four.
Gnonto has hardly played in the starting eleven since the shift, and his departure in the summer transfer window seemed inevitable.
Leeds also signed Harry Wilson and Jean-Matteo Bahoya in the summer to add to their wide-forward options.
Gnonto also has a better chance of returning to the Italy squad if he performs in Serie A rather than being a bench-warmer at Elland Road.
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A Gnonto return seems bleak
Wilfried Gnonto may have played his final game for Leeds United, even if Fiorentina ultimately decide not to make his loan move permanent.
The Italian club reportedly have an option to sign him for around £18m, but whether they take it up or not, it is difficult to see where Gnonto fits back into Daniel Farke’s plans.
The winger’s relationship with Leeds has had its difficult moments, while the club have also strengthened significantly in attacking areas. Farke now has several options competing for the wide positions, and Gnonto would be returning to a squad that has evolved considerably since his departure.
There is also the question of what Leeds would want from a player who may no longer see his future at Elland Road.
If Fiorentina walk away, Leeds could look for another buyer rather than bring Gnonto back into the fold. Sometimes a loan spell does not lead to a permanent transfer, but it still marks the end of the relationship.
