• Fresh criticism of Willy Gnonto emerges amid “scandalous” Leeds United strike

  A report from Tutto Mercato Web claims West Ham United striker Michail Antonio – who has been linked with moves to Celtic, Leeds and Wolves of late – has an offer on the table from a Saudi Arabian club worth £11m over two years.

• Antonio, 33, has entered the final 12 months of his contract with the Hammers. David Moyes is expected to bring in a new striker after selling Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta – and he may have to sign two, Antonio is open to a move.

Indeed, he said as much in a recent episode on The Players Channel podcast. It comes after eight years, 277 games and a Europa Conference League trophy at West Ham. Football Transfers say Leeds and Celtic are interested in him.

This week, Rudy Galetti told GMS that Wolves are also exploring a move for Antonio. West Ham are said to rate the striker at a fee of £6m. But a move to Saudi Arabia is also on the cards too, with an offer now planted on the table.

Michail Antonio has Saudi offer on table amid Leeds and Celtic links

The latest report from TMW claims that Antonio is the subject of a bid from a Saudi Arabian club. The name of the club is not revealed, but it isn’t one of the PIF’s big four – Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Nassr or Al Hilal. A slightly lesser side.

The wages are certainly not small, though. TMW state that Antonio has been offered around £9.5m over the period of two seasons – which equates to around £90,000 a week. It is unclear if Antonio is keen on agreeing a Saudi move.

He certainly has interest in England and Scotland, too. But the chances are, Celtic, Wolves or Leeds are not going to be able to afford anything like the kind of wage Saudi clubs are offering. Antonio has a big decision to make

read more

Gnonto has refused to play for Leeds as he looks to force a transfer away from Elland Road before the window closes.

Everton and Tottenham have most closely linked with a move for the Italian so far this summer.

It has been reported that a £25 million price tag has been set by the Championship club for the 19-year-old.

Gnonto emerged as a bright, young talent in the Leeds squad last season, contributing two goals and four assists to their Premier League campaign.

But relegation to the Championship has led to intense speculation over his future, having initially featured in Daniel Farke’s first game in charge earlier this month.

What has David Prutton said about Wilfried Gnonto’s Leeds United future?

Prutton has criticised the professionalism of the forward, highlighting his decision to not play in the team’s 1-0 loss to Birmingham City last weekend.

While he understands looking for a move away to a Premier League side, he believes that there are better ways to go about handling the speculation over his future.

“It’s scandalous that Gnonto refused to play,” wrote Prutton, via the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“I understand how selfish footballers have to be and need to be successful.

“But you can’t do that.

“I’ve heard good things about him as a person and a teammate, but this blows that out of the water.

“As much as we understand what football is nowadays, the essence of it is still about being a team, a band of brothers or sisters looking after each other.

“That might all sound a bit twee but if you are looking over and can’t rely on the geezer next to you then what’s the point in having him in the team or the squad?

“He’s very firmly burnt his bridges I think.

“There was a lot of head scratching about him at the end of last season when he wasn’t playing, a clamour to get him in the team and to see what he can do.

“There was a genuine excitement when he was on the ball.

“But when we were enthusing about him, I think he was benefiting from the comparison of being a poor team.

“The jury is out on whether he is a Premier League footballer, very much so.

“He might have looked pretty energetic and lively at times, but he’s no wonder kid.”

Leeds have until 1 September to determine his future before the transfer window closes.

How has Wilfried Gnonto handled the situation surrounding his future?

Refusing to play is a pretty drastic step to take for Gnonto, and it shows how serious he is about pursuing a move away from Leeds.

It is a last resort tactic, potentially trying to get the Whites to lower their demands

A move to Everton would be a step back up to the Premier League, which is going to be alluring for any player in the Championship.

However, it is unprofessional to make yourself unavailable for selection, so Gnonto has opened himself up to this level of criticism from the likes of Prutton.