Everton transfer news as Leeds United place £25m price tag on Wilfried Gnonto

Everton have made Wilfried Gnonto their top target this summer and Leeds United have now slapped a £25m price tag on his head, according to TEAMtalk.

According to the online outlet (11 August), the Whites are reluctant to lose him with Gnonto trying to force through his exit, making himself unavailable for Wednesday’s EFL Cup win over Shrewsbury Town and now Saturday’s clash at Birmingham City (Fabrizio Romano, 11 August).

And according to The Times (11 August), the Toffees have had a second bid for Gnonto rejected, with the Italian pushing to join Sean Dyche’s revolution (90Min).

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds United are determined to negotiate the best price for Gnonto if they are forced to cash in on the attacker and they have placed a new £25million valuation for any potential suitor.

Will Everton stump up the cash?

It’s clear Everton are intent on signing Gnonto this summer after submitting a second bid for the Italian ace but the question remains whether they will go in with a third and this new £25m stance may prove a potential stumbling block.

The Blues’ financial position has been made pretty apparent this summer, with two of their three summer signings completed on loan deals and Everton can’t afford to be paying £25m needlessly like they have been for so long in recent years.

However, Gnonto is certainly another kettle of fish, a player worth the hefty outlay given his attacking class and burgeoning potential to be one of the best of his position in the near future.

Leeds United are insistent on keeping Gnonto this summer, but after he asked to sit out their EFL Cup tie against Shrewsbury Town on Wednesday 9 August, and now Saturday’s clash against Birmingham City (12 August) it wouldn’t make sense for the Whites to keep an unhappy player who is refusing to play.

Gnonto certainly represents a game-changing addition to Dyche’s ranks and points to a significant change in terms of recruitment from the club and his amazing talents and potential makes Leeds United’s £25m-plus valuation totally understandable.

But the question remains if Everton are willing to stump up the new cash.

In other Everton news, one key Dyche player has been declared fit to feature in their Premier League opener against Fulham on Saturday 12 August.