If United decides to sell Gnonto, FLW considers some potential replacements.
Because of the last summer’s events, Wilfried Gnonto’s future at Leeds United will probably continue to be discussed until the January transfer window.
Even if the teeny-tiny Italian attacker’s refusal to play twice for the Whites amid transfer rumors was eventually resolved, there is always a risk that top-tier clubs from England and others may be considering a possible mid-season swoop.
If they are not among the top two at that point, the likelihood of Gnonto leaving Elland Road will only rise. With that in mind, FLW looks at FIVE wingers that would make for somewhat ideal successors should the 19-year-old go at the beginning of 2024.
Paintsil, a player with whom Leeds was strongly linked very late in the summer transfer window, would contribute goals and assists from wide areas for Leeds.
In the final week of the summer transfer window, United made a €10 million offer for the Ghanaian international, but a deal reportedly fell through due to a disagreement about a loyalty bonus between Paintsil, his agency, and his club Genk.
With one goal and three assists in the Jupiler Pro League thus far, Paintsil has continued to play for Genk in the Belgian top division. Last season, he finished with 18 goals and 14 assists across all competitions; this situation may come up again in January.
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When Michael Olise returns from his hamstring injury, it might be possible for Crystal Palace to loan Rak-Sakyi to another team.
After scoring 15 goals while on loan at Charlton Athletic the previous season, the 20-year-old attracted a ton of interest from Championship clubs in the summer. However, the Eagles made the decision to keep him at Selhurst Park for the time being.
Rak-Sakyi is currently making limited appearances in the Premier League, but he is more likely to improve with regular playing time, which Leeds may give him starting in January.
Amuzu, a 24-year-old winger for Anderlecht, was mentioned in reports from Belgium in the summer along with other clubs, but he remained where he was when the transfer windows all closed.
Amuzu is a quick wide player who only scored three goals last season, so he may be better suited to being an out-and-out winger as opposed to a wide forward like Gnonto. He also generated 12 goals last season.
Amuzu, who has two goals in eight league games for Anderlecht so far this season, may be a good choice to sign even though he is not a natural Gnonto replacement.
Koita is now shining with Sint-Truiden in the Belgian league, yet it could simply be a phase.
The 25-year-old, who failed to find the back of the net the season before, has scored six goals in his first eight appearances of 2023–24. In his most recent game, he scored a hat trick against Genk.
Koita, who has a similar diminutive frame to Gnonto, appears to have grown into a goal threat over the summer and may be a late bloomer. He could be the perfect fit.
Djukanovic will be unknown to many, but the 19-year-old is making waves in Sweden with Hammarby.
The Montenegro international only signed in January from Budućnost Podgorica in his home nation, but the €1 million fee spent is already looking like it was worth it.
Djukanovic, who has nine goals in 19 Allsvenskan games, may be a budding star, and bigger teams won’t be far behind. If Leeds are wise, they may be able to sign him to Elland Road if Gnonto departs.
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