Leeds United is hoping that the volume of departures that have occurred thus far during this busy transfer window won’t entirely ruin their Championship season following a less than stellar start to the season in the challenging level.
With Largie Ramazani’s arrival in West Yorkshire, there will be a change in the atmosphere from the depressing atmosphere that had surrounded the team following the abrupt exits of Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville. Daniel Farke will be using his resources to try and lead the Whites to another promotion push.
If Wilfried Gnonto stays put between now and the impending end of the transfer window, away from any more new faces entering, he will be crucial to Leeds’ prospects of achieving promotion.
Time spent by Gnonto at Leeds
Gnonto’s relationship with the jaded Leeds supporters has fluctuated; following the Whites’ devastating relegation, the Italian forward submitted a transfer request in an attempt to force a return to the Premier League.
There are fresh rumors circulating that the former FC Zurich player is demanding a top-tier comeback right now, but given how many high-profile players have already left the team this summer, aggravating the Whites supporters, it seems doubtful that another superstar would be permitted to
Despite the early focus on Gnonto’s refusal to play, the explosive 20-year-old was a major factor in Farke’s team’s playoff run last season, as the small forward scored eight goals and provided two assists during the regular season.
After managing two goals and four assists from 34 Premier League games, the youthful player continued to be a bright spot for Leeds in the top division even as relegation began to loom large over the West Yorkshire team. Those ten goal contributions came after that.
Even though the season is still relatively young, Gnonto has already scored more goals while wearing Leeds white. This lone goal against Portsmouth opened his 2024–25 goal tally, and the Italian is living up to the reputation that former Whites coach Michael Skubala bestowed upon him when he was a “special” talent.
With a high reported sum of £9.3m to secure his services, Ramazani is an expensive signing from Spain, and Farke & Co. will hope that their new recruit may eventually become their next Gnonto for the Championship promotion prospects.
In comparison, the exceptional Whites number 29 would have only cost a pitiful £3.8m in 2022. According to Football Transfers, his price is now higher than that of the former Almeria winger, demonstrating how the team really struck it lucky with that acquisition two years ago.
The worth of Gnonto in 2024
The website claims that the 5′ 8″ attacker is now valued at an impressive £18.4 million, which is almost twice what Leeds is said to have paid to acquire Ramazani.
Although Gnonto was originally unknown in the English game, Leeds’ £3.8 million investment now appears to have been a great deal, especially in light of his growing significance as a dynamic player in a fun Whites squad that formerly included players like Summerville and Rutter.
According to the table above, Gnonto is currently the most valuable player at Elland Road. Leeds’ management is concerned that he might try to force through a last-minute move before the end of August to leave the Championship side. That sumptuous duo is currently at West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion, respectively.
Ramazani, who scored three goals for Almeria in La Liga last season, was probably brought in to give Leeds some much-needed firepower, but if Gnonto does leave, it would be asking a lot of him to be the main man.
Everyone at Leeds is hoping that the former Manchester United prospect, who already has a big £9.3 million price tag above his head that can work against him, can excel this season alongside Gnonto staying put.
