Gnonto returns to Leeds United training following internal discussions today

Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto has returned to training with the club’s first team, despite trying to force his way out of West Yorkshire in recent times.

That is according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay, who reports that the decision to reintegrate Gnonto into the first-team training group was made after discussions with manager Daniel Farke and club CEO Angus Kinnear today.

The development comes after the 19-year-old has refused to play in the Whites’ last three competitive fixtures in an attempt to force a move away to Premier League side Everton, who have reportedly had four bids rejected by Leeds for Gnonto’s services so far. Despite these repeated approaches the Yorkshire giants remain adamant that the Italian youngster is not for sale.

Gnonto’s refusal to play has – for many of the Elland Road faithful – severely damaged the reputation of a player who was one of the only bright spots in a particularly dark season for their side last season. The feeling exists among the fanbase that by making this decision Gnonto effectively burnt his bridges at the club, with it being difficult to see him being granted the opportunity to redeem himself on the pitch.

The Italian international’s decision to submit a formal transfer request on Friday evening – the details of which emerged just before Leeds were set to take on West Brom under the Elland Road lights – was met with a general sense of hostility directed towards Gnonto before kick-off.

Now the saga surrounding the forward has taken another twist, with Hay revealing that Gnonto has returned to first-team training today.

This decision presumably places Gnonto back into contention for a place in Farke’s squad when his side travel to take on newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday.

How this would be taken by the travelling Whites supporters would be a different matter however, with the young Italian understandably having a lot to do to repair his now-broken standing amongst the fanbase.

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In what has been an ongoing saga this summer, the Italian international had been pushing to leave the Whites.

The forward refused to play for Leeds in games against Shrewsbury and Birmingham earlier this month, and a written formal transfer request was submitted hours before Friday night’s draw against West Brom.

As a result, Gnonto had been working away from the first-team squad, with the player in at Thorp Arch at different times to the rest of the squad, as Farke made it clear he wanted players who are committed to the club.

However, in a surprising twist, The Athletic reporter Phil Hay has revealed that Gnonto has been in talks with key figures at the club, and he has now returned to the group ahead of the weekend game against Ipswich Town.

“Willy Gnonto has returned to training with Leeds United. Talks with CEO Angus Kinnear and head coach Daniel Farke over the past 24 hours have led to the 19-year-old forward being reintegrated back into the squad. He also moved back to the first-team dressing room having previously been shifted out of it.

“The club have been resolute throughout the summer that he will not be sold. Gnonto started Leeds’ opening match of the Championship season against Cardiff City, but withdrew from the squad to face Birmingham City the following week. The club reiterated at that point that they were not willing to sanction his departure, and said the situation was an “internal disciplinary matter”.”

Will Leeds sell Wilfried Gnonto?

Given Farke has been adamant he only wants players in the group who are committed, the fact Gnonto is back with the squad indicates there has been a major change in stance from the players. Therefore, the chances of him staying at Elland Road appear to have increased significantly.

Unlike many of his teammates, there is no release clause in Gnonto’s contract, and he still has four years left on his deal, so the club were not under pressure to cash in.

Of course, a substantial offer could change that, but Everton have not reached their demands so far, and if Gnonto isn’t pushing to go now, then he could remain part of the Leeds squad this season.

It’s a difficult one for the support, who have been very vocal in their anger at Gnonto in recent games, and you can understand why they are unhappy with his lack of professionalism.

So, some won’t forgive him for his behaviour in recent weeks, and they will want him sold. However, others will recognise that keeping Gnonto significantly increases Leeds’ chances of promotion this season, whilst he is a young player who has been badly advised.

Farke’s side are back in action at Ipswich this weekend, and it remains to be seen whether Gnonto is involved.