Willy Gnonto’s initial £4 million move from FC Zurich to Premier League outfit Leeds United ‘made everyone very happy’ with the Italy international enjoying an impressive start to life under Jesse Marsch, the forward’s agent tells Tuttomercatoweb.
According to The Athletic, Leeds’ American head coach had doubts about whether or not a 19-year-old Gnonto could make an immediate impact in England’s top flight. It’s fair to say those doubts have now been dispelled.
Coming off the bench for his league debut in October’s 2-1 triumph at Liverpool, the powerhouse forward wreaked havoc before Crysencio Summerville’s dramatic late winner. Just one week later, Gnonto was at it again; bulldozing through what felt like the entire Bournemouth team and assisting another decisive Summerville strike.
After just 107 minutes of Premier League football, the initial £4 million fee Leeds invested in one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers already feels like money very well spent.
Italy international Wilfried Gnonto is thriving under Jesse Marsch at Leeds United
“It was an operation born and carried out together,” explains Marco Busiello, Gnonto’s agent.
“And that made everyone happy. Leeds because they were able to buy their first Italian player. The boy was happy because he made the leap of quality. And also (it benefitted) Zurich.”
Capped eight times by the Italian national team already; Gnonto became the Azzurri’s youngest goalscorer since 1958 when he found the net against Germany in the UEFA Nations League. He also hit double figures for Zurich during a breakout 2021/22 season in Switzerland.
“Willie continues to grow within our group,” Marsch tells Sky Sports. “I think people see that he has talent and quality, but also real intelligence on the pitch. For a young man, he is incredibly intelligent.”
Once of Inter Milan, Leeds could eventually end up paying over £10 million for Gnonto. There are a number of bonuses and clauses in his Elland Road contract.
“The transfer took place under the conditions we had imagined,” Zurich president Ancillo Canepa tells Blick. “We negotiated well. Even if the transfer was only registered five minutes before the end of the window.
“Everything in the contract remains confidential. But yes, there is a very good chance that the transfer fee will eventually exceed ten million.”
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