Leeds United fans have already had to deal with one summer of Willy Gnonto trying to force his way out of Elland Road.
And they might have to deal with it again in the final two weeks of this summer transfer window.
Gnonto, 20, has started Leeds’ opening two Championship fixtures this season, scoring against Portsmouth in the 3-3 draw at Elland Road last week before having a less fruitful 90 minutes in the goalless draw at West Brom on Saturday (18 August).
The Italy international has been reintegrated into Daniel Farke’s plans since requesting a transfer away from West Yorkshire last year when Everton tried to sign him [Sky Sports] and was a vital player in last season’s unsuccessful promotion bid.
However, there now seem to be plans in the offices at Leeds to potentially replace him in Farke’s starting line-up with Sunderland star Jack Clarke.
Leeds United ready late summer bid to re-sign Sunderland ace Jack Clarke
The Sunday Mirror reported on 18 August (page 69) that the Whites are plotting a move to bring Clarke, 23, back to Elland Road five years after selling him to Tottenham for £10million.
It remains to be seen how the Black Cats value the ex-Spurs attacker, who is in the final two years of his contract, but Leeds are likely to be able to afford their demands after selling Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray, Glen Kamara and – soon – Georginio Rutter for a combined total of over £100million.
Clarke always looked to be a special talent when he was at Leeds.
He made his professional debut in October 2018 when he was only 17 years of age and then scored his first competitive goal for the Whites two months later against Aston Villa.
Unfortunately, it all went downhill for the winger after he collapsed on the bench at Middlesbrough in February 2019 due to a virus. He struggled for form after that and was eventually sold later that year to Spurs, who loaned him back to Leeds but Marcelo Bielsa continued to overlook the York-born ace.
After some poor loan spells at QPR and Stoke, Sunderland signed the attacker and he’s since started to live up to the hype at the Stadium of Light and last season, he notched 15 goals and four assists in 40 Championship appearances before starting this term in similar form with a goal versus QPR.
Gnonto is unlikely to be a fan of this news.
Although he’s an Italy international with more Premier League experience than Clarke, the ex-Leeds academy prospect is someone who lit up the Championship last term and seems way more likely to make an impact in Farke’s team.
It could lead to Gnonto knocking on Gretar Steinsson’s door and trying to join Summerville, Rutter, Gray and Kamara in leaving Elland Road.
