Leeds United decided against bringing highly-rated Saliou Thioune to the Premier League with the former Cittadella starlet joining Yverdon Sport FC in Switzerland instead, as reported by Gianluca di Marzio.
Has the talented attacking midfielder been inspired by the success of Wilfried Gnonto on the other side of the Alps? If so, there’s certainly worse people to take inspiration from.
18-year-old Gnonto has come on leaps and bounds since leaving Inter Milan for FC Zurich, after all, exploding onto the scene in the Swiss Super League while becoming the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Italian national team.
Gnonto could soon be rewarded with a big-money move to Elland Road. Leeds boss Jesse Marsch confirmed his interest in the teenage goal-poacher earlier this month.
One wonders if Thioune could follow in his compatriot’s footsteps. The Italian-born creator, who could also play for Senegal at international level, is swapping Cittadella for Yverdon in the Swiss second tier.
Gianluca di Marzio say that Leeds have shown a ‘significant interest’ in the teenager over the last couple of years before putting him on the backburner for the time being. The Yorkshire giants, they report explains, felt he was too young at the time.
Perhaps, if Thioune can emulate Gnonto’s impact in Switzerland, Leeds will come calling again sooner rather than later.
Leeds United like Wilfried Gnonto and Saliou Thioune
“He’s a boy. He is 18-years-old and he should not be put under too much pressure,” Marsch said of Gnonto ahead of Leeds’ thrilling 3-0 victory over Chelsea (Leeds Live). “He has to grow quietly. For his age, he knows how to play football like few other players and is very fast.
“If he grows calmly, without too much pressure on him, he can show his important qualities. His best role is second striker, but he can also play on the wing.”
“I think we think very highly of him. He’s a young, talented player. I think we’re very active in pursuing things and we have some strategies. Let’s see how they play out.”
Leeds are offering £4 million for Gnonto. Zurich, however, want closer to £7 million for a player who found the net 10 times during his breakthrough season in senior football.
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