Everton set to take action in transfer pursuit of Leeds United player | OneFootball

Willy Gnonto remains on the Toffees' radar - and they could be poised to make a formal move for the winger.

Everton are prepared to ramp up their interest in Wilfried Gnonto.

That's according to a report from iNews, who have revealed that the Toffees now want to strike a deal for the Italian attacker following a lengthy period of interest.

Gnonto is one of many Leeds United players that have been linked with a move away from Elland Road this summer, following their play-off final defeat in May.

And the Whites have already seen a couple of big names leave, with Archie Gray securing a move to Tottenham Hotspur and Glen Kamara being picked up by Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais.

They aren't the only two key players who could depart West Yorkshire before the transfer window closes though, with Crysencio Summerville likely to be the subject of interest from other clubs from now until the latter stages of August.

Georginio Rutter is another player that has attracted interest, with Brighton & Hove Albion having a £30 million offer rejected for him.

Daniel Farke will be desperate to keep hold of his attacking players, but the likes of Gnonto and Summerville have consistently been linked with exits in the past year or so.

Gnonto didn't enjoy the best start to last season, making himself unavailable for a few games in August amid speculation about his future.

He also sustained an injury that disrupted any chance of him gaining a rhythm, but he managed to be a decent asset during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.

Registering a respectable number of goals and assists, considering how his season started, Gnonto has done enough to put himself in the shop window for this summer.

But it's unclear whether he will leave Elland Road before the window closes.

Everton to step up Willy Gnonto pursuit

Following Amadou Onana's £50 million move to Aston Villa, it has been reported by i that there's money in the bank for the Toffees to pursue a move for Gnonto.

Sean Dyche's side are not prepared to pay over the odds to secure the Italian's signature, according to the same outlet, but they are prepared to ramp up their pursuit of the 20-year-old

The player is thought to be interested in a move to Goodison Park, but he knows that a deal won't be easy to agree, so he may be unclear about where he is set to play his football next season.

A potential takeover may have fallen through and fellow winger Jesper Lindstrom may be close to joining the Toffees, but that hasn't changed their plans to pursue Gnonto.

Leeds United should take firm Willy Gnonto stance

Gnonto is a player who still has plenty of time to improve.

And with his contract not expiring until the summer of 2027, the Whites shouldn't feel pressured into selling him at this stage.

With the club already making a couple of big sales, it wouldn't be a shock if the West Yorkshire side have balanced the books enough already.

Leeds should certainly be looking to keep the vast majority of their star attackers, including Gnonto.

If they can do that, it will surely enhance their chances of securing a Premier League return at the second time of asking.