Wilfried Gnonto's Leeds United future is looking increasingly fragile. SC Freiburg have already opened talks ahead of the summer transfer window, five Serie A clubs are in the race, and Leeds are open to a sale or a loan with an obligation to buy.

Freiburg have made the first move

The strongest signal in the brief is Freiburg's approach. Florian Plettenberg reported that the Bundesliga club have opened talks for Gnonto ahead of the summer window, and that fits with the wider picture around him. Borussia Dortmund are also interested, while the Italian side of the chase is crowded.

Those Serie A clubs are Juventus, Inter, AC Milan, Napoli and Roma. That is enough interest to make this a genuine market, not just a single-club probe.

Leeds, for their part, are not shutting the door. The club are open to a sale or a loan with an obligation to buy, which gives them a way to keep the deal moving if the right structure is offered.

Why Leeds may be willing to cash in

The football side of the argument is pretty plain. Gnonto has made 22 Premier League appearances this season, but 18 of them have come off the bench. He has played only 541 league minutes across those 22 games.

That is not the profile of a player Leeds have built the attack around. It is a fringe role, and the pattern has become even clearer in his last five matches, when he played 39, 40, 6, 16 and 26 minutes.

Leeds are reported to want between £15 million and £20 million, and he remains under contract until 2028. That gives them a decent negotiating position, but it also looks like a club preparing to move on if the interest keeps building.

The balance here is straightforward enough. Freiburg have made the first concrete move, the Serie A list is long, and Leeds appear willing to do business rather than force Gnonto back into a central role.

If one of the interested clubs pushes a deal over the line, Leeds will at least be working from a clear price range. If not, they still have a player who has already spent most of the season waiting for minutes from the bench.

FAQ

Is Wilfried Gnonto likely to leave Leeds this summer?

The signs point toward a summer move, but nothing is done yet. Freiburg have already opened talks, five Serie A clubs are in the race, and Leeds are open to a sale or a loan with an obligation to buy. Gnonto's bench-heavy season also suggests he has slipped into a fringe role.

Which clubs are interested in Wilfried Gnonto?

Freiburg have opened talks, Borussia Dortmund are among the interested German clubs, and five Serie A sides are named in the brief: Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Napoli and Roma. Leeds are willing to consider a sale or a structured loan deal.

Why might Leeds sell Wilfried Gnonto now?

Gnonto has made 22 Premier League appearances this season, with 18 coming off the bench, and he has played only 541 league minutes. Leeds are reported to want between £15 million and £20 million, which gives them a clear price point if interest turns into bids.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →