Sources: Leeds United star set to make U-turn over future as contract terms agreed in principle

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto is now set to stay at Elland Road as terms over a new contract have now been agreed in principle, HITC Football understands.

Wilfried Gnonto, the Italian international, wanted to leave in the summer following Leeds United’s relegation to the EFL Championship and Everton failed with a bid to land him during the Summer transfer window.

As a result, Gnonto remained at the club but despite making a shed load of appearances for the Yorkshire side, he hasn’t quite hit the heights that he did during his debut season in the Premier League for Leeds.

It looked likely that a January move could be on the cards but in a surprising turn of events, HITC Football now understands that the Italian forward is set to stay at Elland Road.

Gnonto’s future

As mentioned, the promising Italian winger has made 21 appearances for the Yorkshire side this season but the majority of the games he has featured in have come from the bench.

He has once again attracted interest this January with David Moyes’ West Ham United amongst those keen on a loan.

As well as interest from the London club, a host of Italian sides were keen on signing the youngster and he could feature in Serie A for the first time but it is now looking like he will remain at Elland Road for the foreseeable future.

Since joining the Yorkshire club from FC Zurich in the summer of 2022, the winger has five goals and five assists to his name at Elland Road and it now looks like he will have a chance to improve these numbers.

Terms over new contract agreed

HITC sources have been told that Gnonto is now settled at Elland Road and terms in principle are now agreed on a new deal, with his current contract due to run until 2027.

Gnonto came through the Inter Milan youth academy and also made his international debut for Italy in 2022 and has since gone on to be capped 13 times for his nation, scoring once.

For Leeds to be able to hang on to Gnonto is certainly a big coup and the hope will be that the Italian can inspire Daniel Farke’s side to promotion back to the Premier League.