Leeds United player vs Farke transfer stand-off would be the kiss of death for summer move

Chatter about Leeds United’s major summer sale has been dominated by Crysencio Summerville up to now. The Championship’s Player of the Season was always going to be the marquee name the vultures would start circling around during this window.

As a cheap arrival in 2020, Summerville would generate a huge boost for United’s profitability and sustainability (PSR) picture if he were sold at the going rate for a second-tier star name. He’s not the only asset that may appeal to outsiders this summer either.

Wilfried Gnonto, who was so desperate to move last summer he went on strike, will be of interest to suitors for similar reasons. At 20, with 13 Italy caps to his name, Gnonto stands out as an asset with a lot of room for development playing at a club where every player will have their price.

READ MORE: Leeds United loan clause active again and paving the way for latest Elland Road exit

Last season was not easy for the Italian. August’s strike set him back, at least mentally, if not physically, and there would be no goals until February’s trip to Bristol City. That strike, followed by a roar into the away end, flicked a switch.

Seven goals and one assist would land in 11 games across all competitions, to really invite Gnonto into the party that had been heading towards promotion. The pain of that Wembley defeat will have cut Gnonto deep, but is he going to be any keener to play in England’s second tier than he was 12 months ago?

Gnonto is understood to have changed agents since last summer’s transfer window. Claudio Vigorelli was behind the written transfer request which was sent to both Paraag Marathe and journalists at the same time, in order to maximise its impact.

With a change in his representation, there could at least be a change in strategy from the forward this summer. Tentative rumours about an imminent new deal at Elland Road in January never came to anything.

Gnonto remains on the terms he agreed as an 18-year-old bound for the club’s under-21 side. In short, there are another three years to run on wages that are far beneath the level Gnonto has reached as a first-team regular with United.

If the former Inter Milan youth would rather leave than stay before August 30, there are right and wrong ways of going about it. Leeds, led by Daniel Farke, showed they were not going to be dictated to by a 19-year-old last summer.

In a window riddled with loan clauses which rendered Farke et al powerless as they watched their squad stripped for parts, Gnonto was one player they could set the agenda on. Once it became a battle of wills, player vs manager, Farke was only going to allow one winner.

The apology and reintegration eventually came, but the manager was clear, there would be no third chance for Gnonto if anything like that happened again. The winger’s representation can, by all means, let Leeds know how he wants this summer to pan out, but if Gnonto repeats anything like 2023’s actions, he can expect this window to blow up in his face.

He may well want to stay. Leeds may well be in a financial position where they can keep him. He may well be the Summerville figure of next season, but if an exit is what he wants, he must keep his head down, continue working hard and keep that dummy firmly between his lips.