AliousLeeds United may need to make tough decisions on player retention and departures this summer.
Following the 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the Championship play-off final 10 days ago, speculation has centered on potential exits from Elland Road when the transfer window opens.
Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray have drawn significant interest, with Leeds acknowledging that some key players will likely depart.
Nevertheless, chairman Paraag Marathe remains confident that Leeds will field a squad capable of pushing for promotion in August, indicating that while funds will be available for new players, the club will also need to be firm with those considering moves to higher-level teams.
Transfer insider updates on Willy Gnonto’s future
With a lucrative sponsorship deal with Red Bull and potential sales of returning loanees, Leeds are not under pressure to sell everyone this summer.
Summerville, the Championship Player of the Season, appears the most likely to leave, with a reported £30 million price tag and interest from Chelsea and Liverpool.
However, in an exclusive interview with LeedsUnited.News, transfer insider Graeme Bailey suggests that Summerville’s departure could help retain his close friend Willy Gnonto.
Gnonto has been linked with an exit following Leeds’ play-off final defeat, reportedly seeking a return to Italy.
Bailey believes Leeds may view Gnonto as Summerville’s ideal replacement and would hesitate to let both go. He wouldn’t be surprised if Gnonto signed a new deal.
He said: “Gnonto had talks over a new deal that went unsigned.
It wouldn’t surprise me if he signed a new deal.
They can’t let everyone go. If Summerville goes, is Gnonto the ideal replacement? Arguably yes.
“With Gnonto, it depends on who else leaves.
Given his season, clubs might not be queuing up this summer. For his career, he is better off staying at Leeds and signing a new deal.
“That’s the way I see it unless a suitor in Italy is keen, but I don’t see Leeds taking a reduced fee for him.
It will be hard for anyone to get him out, as proved last summer.”
Gnonto was close to a new deal at Leeds earlier this year
Gnonto’s future at Leeds is intriguing, considering recent developments.
Leeds were confident of agreeing on a new deal in January, and Gnonto has since separated from the agent who guided him through last year’s saga.
The 20-year-old had a solid second half of the campaign, though not as impressive as Summerville’s season.
Leeds might persuade him to stay with another year of Championship football, offering him a leading role on the left-hand side in place of Summerville.
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