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Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto 'keen to return to Italy amid Juventus links'

Gnonto 'keen to return to Italy amid Juventus links'
© Reuters
Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto would reportedly be "very happy" to return to Italy amid interest from Serie A giants Juventus.

Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto would reportedly be "very happy" to return to Italy amid interest from Serie A giants Juventus.

The 19-year-old joined the Whites from Swiss outfit FC Zurich last summer and was quickly fast-tracked into the first-team squad by former manager Jesse Marsch, making his Premier League debut at the end of October.

Gnonto has since developed into an influential player at Elland Road, contributing with four goals and two assists in 19 appearances across all competitions.

The former Inter Milan youngster is under contract with Leeds until the summer of 2027, but speculation over his long-term future at the club has begun to surface.

According to Calciomercatoweb, Juventus are monitoring Gnonto with 'great ambition' as Massimiliano Allegri attempts to rejuvenate his first-team squad with fresh talent ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto celebrates scoring against Manchester United on February 8, 2023© Reuters

The report adds that Gnonto would be "very happy" to return to his native Italy and a potential move to Juve would appeal to the teenage forward.

It is understood that the Old Lady could look to negotiate a swap deal with Leeds involving Gnonto and midfielder Weston McKennie, who joined the Whites in January on a short-term loan deal until the end of the season.

Leeds have agreed to spend around £30.8m to sign McKennie on a permanent deal next summer if they avoid relegation from the Premier League, but that deal could change if negotiations involving Gnonto come to fruition.

Gnonto was highly regarded by Inter Milan during his eight-year spell in the club's youth system between 2012 and 2020, but he opted to make the switch to Switzerland and join Zurich in search of regular first-team football.

The forward is now a regular with Leeds, despite being dropped to the substitutes' bench in the last two games under new boss Javi Gracia, while he has also represented the Italy national team on eight occasions.

Italy's Wilfried Gnonto pictured on June 7, 2022© Reuters

Roberto Mancini handed Gnonto his senior international debut in June last year, and the youngster provided an assist in a 1-1 draw with Germany in the UEFA Nations League.

Just 10 days later, Gnonto became Italy's youngest-ever goalscorer against the same opposition when he tucked away a consolation strike in a 5-2 away defeat, breaking a 63-year record held by Bruno Nicole.

Gnonto will be hoping to receive another international call-up by Mancini for this month's international break, with Euro 2020 holders Italy soon preparing for Euro 2024 qualifiers against England and Malta.

Leeds' No.29 is not the only player to have been linked with a move to Italy, as left-back Junior Firpo is reportedly wanted by Inter Milan.

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Italy's Wilfried Gnonto pictured on June 7, 2022
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