Leeds United Star Now Rapidly Closing In On Loan Exit, Option To Buy Included

George Wood/Getty Images

Leeds United winger Willy Gnonto is edging closer to joining Italian side Fiorentina on loan before the transfer window shuts down.

Gnonto moved to Leeds United from Swiss club FC Zurich in the summer of 2022 and initially signed a five-year contract, before extending his stay until June 2028.

Initially viewed as a youth team player, he quickly changed those views and was seen as an exciting talent.

The 22-year-old struggled for regular minutes last season, making 23 Premier League appearances but playing just 524 minutes, mostly as a substitute.

The winger has been attracting transfer market interest for a while, with Bundesliga side Freiburg keen on him back in May, but little progress has been made since as the deal was considered ‘difficult’.

It was recently suggested that the Italian was being pursued by Fiorentina, with ‘negotiations under way’ and the Serie A club’s sporting director Fabio Paratici keen on bringing him in on loan.

Gnonto was also suggested to be ‘taking big strides’ towards a late move from Elland Road to Fiorentina.

Now, with fresh developments emerging, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Fiorentina are closing in on Gnonto on loan.

Gnonto, despite being Italian, has never played in Serie A and has not featured for the national team since 2023.

A temporary move away from Elland Road could give the 22-year-old regular playing minutes while allowing Leeds to monitor his development.

The loan deal though contains an option to buy for Fiorentina, meaning it could well effectively mark the last time Gnonto has played for Leeds.

What level the option is set at for now remains unclear, though Fiorentina are expected to cover all his Leeds wages, meaning extra room on the wage bill at Elland Road.