Everton: Wilfried Gnonto move close

The Toffees could snap up the forward for £18.8m.

Everton appear to be close to landing a new forward this summer, with reports suggesting that a €22m fee could soon be agreed with Leeds United for Wilfried Gnonto.

How many goals has Wilfried Gnonto scored for Leeds?

The 19-year-old has only been with Leeds for one season, but has already made quite the impression for the club and in the Premier League. Despite his age, he was given the opportunity to feature for them on 24 occasions in the top flight, and became one of their most established options in attack.

That led to the Italy international bagging two goals and four assists – leading to his second-best-ever goal contribution rate over the course of his career so far. It meant that he ended the season with a 0.40 goal or assist per 90 rate. [FBref]

Gnonto burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old in Switzerland with FC Zurich and started three times for them in the league that campaign – managing one goal and three assists. He then hit a double-digit goal contribution tally with the side for the first time in the 2021/22 season. That led to his move to England and to Leeds, and he has continued to shine even in the top flight.

Are Everton signing Wilfried Gnonto?

Everton appear to be closing in on a move for free agent Ashley Young as their first summer signing, with the 38-year-old set to make the move to Merseyside after leaving Aston Villa.

Gnonto and Young came up against each other last season at Villa Park, with Gary Neville hailing the forward for his display against the experienced full-back, and it looks as if they could soon be teammates.

With the Whites now relegated back down to the Championship though, there are teams that are well prepared to keep Gnonto in the top tier. One of those sides is Everton, with those at Goodison Park in contact over a potential transfer already it seems, so to have Aston Villa, with the Villains also considering a move to try and land the Italian in a deal.