Leeds United struck deal of the summer with 20-year-old despite £30.8m transfer expenditure: Opinion

Leeds United struck deal of the summer with 20-year-old despite £30.8m transfer expenditure: OpinionStar signing tops a decent Whites window
Leeds United getting Gnonto to sign a new four-year deal at Elland Road is fantastic business. It is the cherry on top of a decent yet turbulent summer transfer window for the Championship club.

Such is Gnonto’s potential that Premier League clubs have been sniffing around for a while now. Indeed, Daniel Farke’s side rejected a £23m bid from Everton earlier this summer. The Merseysiders have been long-term admirers but once again, they failed in their bids to tempt him to Goodison Park.The Italian international’s potential was evident in his first season with the Whites. That Premier League campaign saw him feature 24 times, scoring two goals and creating four assists.Just knocking back the Toffees’ bid shows a level of ambition and resolve from Leeds, but getting Gnonto to sit down and agree to an extended deal even more so.Gnonto has seen the legs cut from under the club. Players at the core of the side – Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, and Georginio Rutter – have all gone, and many thought that he would follow suit and make a move, perhaps a deserved move, up to a higher level.

Yet, Leeds United have tied him down for a longer stay at Elland Road. That is arguably the deal of the summer for the Whites, despite spending over £30.8m on their new signings.We provide daily news, transfer news, predictions, lineups and reaction coverage on all 72 clubs that make up the Football League. We’ve proudly been supporting the lower league clubs for over 10 years with our team of football-loving, fan-first journalists.We provide daily news, transfer news, predictions, lineups and reaction coverage on all 72 clubs that make up the Football League. We’ve proudly been supporting the lower league clubs for over 10 years with our team of football-loving, fan-firstJust knocking back the Toffees’ bid shows a level of ambition and resolve from Leeds, but getting Gnonto to sit down and agree to an extended deal even more so.