- 1 May 2024
Leeds' shock Gnonto replacement revealed as permanent £20m deal moves close
Martin Macdonald
- Updated: 19 Jan 2024 14:40 GMT
- 3 min read
Leeds United have identified Burnley’s Manuel Benson as a potential replacement for Wilfried Gnonto should the Championship side lose the Italian to West Ham during the January transfer window, according to reports.
Gnonto, who pushed to leave Elland Road last summer after the Whites were relegated from the Premier League, was ultimately made to stay put.
Leeds rejected interest in the Italy international from Everton in order for him to help with their promotion bid but Gnonto has looked out of sorts in the second tier this season.
The 20-year-old has started only seven of Leeds’ Championship games this season, scoring once, and is not a favourite of coach Daniel Farke.
As such, it has been reported that Leeds are willing to allow Gnonto to leave this winter with West Ham now leading the race for his signature, according to SportsLens.
The Hammers have also been credited with interest in Ajax’s Steve Bergwijn although David Moyes is reportedly at odds with the club over their decision to pursue the former Tottenham forward.
Benson, 26, joined Burnley in 2022 from Royal Antwerp in Belgium and was impressive in his side’s promotion campaign last season.
However, he has appeared only four times in the Premier League for Vincent Kompany’s side and has been made available for transfer, according to reports.
The winger joined Burnley for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2022, believed to be in the region of €4 million, and scored 11 times in 33 Championship games as Kompany masterminded a return to the top flight.
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The 26-year-old has been impressive for Farke’s side in the Championship this season, where he is on loan from Tottenham.
However, there was no permanent fee fixed in the loan and Leeds fear that unless a deal can be outlined soon then it would take up to £20m to sign the Wales defender from Spurs, according to Football Insider.
The USA international attracted interest from the Premier League and the Bundesliga for his performances at centre-back last season with Brighton, West Ham and Everton all reported to have taken a look.
His form has tailed off this term, however, but Leeds remain interested according to Voetbalnieuws.
The 24-year-old will be entering the final year of his contract next season and Genk might well be seeking to cash in on the defender they paid over €5m to Philadelphia Union for in 2021.
Leeds are in need of defensive reinforcements following the departures of Luke Ayling on loan to Middlesbrough and Djed Spence back to Spurs respectively.
