Everton dealt blow in £25m Leeds United transfer chase as Willy Gnonto stance reiterated – Report

Leeds United winger Willy Gnonto is still not for sale from Elland Road as Everton aim to strike a £20million-plus agreement this month.

All of the talk at the moment surrounding Leeds this week has not been around tonight’s game against West Brom, but solely around the players refusing to play.

Willy Gnonto is the key name there, with Luis Sinisterra and Helder Costa also confirmed this week to not be part of the main group at Thorp Arch.

Gnonto to Everton?

It has been well established for some time that Everton are keen on signing Gnonto from Leeds, as much as the Whites released a statement saying he was not for sale.

According to Fabrizio Romano, personal terms are already agreed for Gnonto to sign a five-year contract at Goodison Park, despite no fee being agreed as of yet – with the latest bid amounting to £25million in total (add-ons included).

Will Leeds sell?

A blow has been dealt now to the Toffees, according to Italian outlet Corriere Della Sera, who claim that Leeds have reaffirmed their stance that the 19-year-old is not for sale.

Leeds are refusing to sell because they are aiming to complete an instant return to the Premier League, with Gnonto part of the plans:

“Everton is also on him, but nothing will change Leeds’ mind. So Gnonto now trains alone and for disciplinary reasons he could still be out of the squad for some time. It’s not an easy situation to fix.”

Gnonto is said to fear losing his place in the Italy squad in the coming weeks, with Roberto Mancini no longer the manager of the national team – the man who handed him a debut.