Leeds United fans will be “really excited” to get the opportunity to see Italy international Wilfried Gnonto play for the club ahead of their other high potential academy products.
That is according to journalist Dean Jones, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the latest news from Elland Road.
Jesse Marsch had been desperate to add cover to Patrick Bamford throughout the summer transfer window, and finally got his wish on deadline day when the club announced the signing of Gnonto from FC Zürich for a reported fee of £3.8m.
The 18-year-old forward, who has been described as “mature” by the Swiss side’s sporting director Marinko Jurendic, arrived with pedigree having already made six appearances for the Italian national team, and even scoring a goal in a Nations League clash with Germany.
And Jones believes that in comparison to prospects such as Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood, and Sonny Perkins, Gnonto is the name that will excite Leeds fans more than any other.
“I mean, if the European champions are starting him, then you have to consider that Leeds will surely soon consider doing exactly that.
“I’m sure they’ll ease him in at first.
“But of all those names [of the club’s youth prospects], I think he’s probably the one that fans will be really excited to see.”
TIF Thoughts on Jones’ comments
We agree with Jones as it does seem that given his senior experience, Gnonto may already be ahead of the rest of his Leeds youth academy counterparts fighting for a spot in the senior side.
The Verbania-born forward had a solid season in Switzerland for Zürich last season, scoring ten goals and providing five assists in 36 appearances according to Transfermarkt, suggesting that the young starlet has no problems in finding the back of the net.
Therefore, we agree with Jones and believe that Gnonto will be a youth signing that excites Leeds fans greatly, and we firmly expect to see him in first-team contention in the near future.