It is hard to describe the summer transfer window as anything other than a disappointment for Leeds United after they failed to make any further additions to their squad on deadline day.
Speaking ahead of the deadline, Daniel Farke said: “In defence and midfield, goalkeeper position and full-back position, we’ve done really good business. But we spoke quite open and honest about it, we would need to add some more quality up front. We need to stay awake until the last hour of this window.”
Journalist Graham Smyth added that the German head coach claimed that it would be “difficult” for the Championship champions to avoid relegation if they did not strengthen their attack in the final days of the window.
The same reporter noted after the deadline passed that the day was a “disaster” for the 49ers, who failed to back their manager with what he felt they needed to avoid relegation.
Leeds have only scored one goal, a penalty against Everton, in three Premier League matches so far, and there are big concerns over the quality of their frontline.
The Whites were linked with plenty of attackers heading into the deadline, but they were ultimately unable to land Facundo Buonanotte or Harry Wilson.
How Leeds failed Farke this summer
Leeds may well go on to achieve survival and enjoy a fantastic first season back in the Premier League, but it is worrying when the manager states outright that it will be difficult to avoid the drop without signings and the club fail to bring any players in.
The Whites were reportedly hopeful of signing Buonanotte on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in the final few days of the window, after he scored five goals on loan at Leicester City in the Premier League last season, per Sofascore.
However, Chelsea, despite their vast resources and the incredible talent they already possess in attacking areas, decided to sign the Argentine youngster on a season-long loan to compete with Estevao, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens, Tyrique George, Andrey Santos, Joao Pedro, and Enzo Fernandez for a starting berth in the attacking midfield positions.
After their move for Buonanotte fell through, Leeds entered into talks with Fulham over a permanent deal to sign Wales international Harry Wilson to bolster their squad.
Appearances
35
25
xG
3.38
4.21
Goals
4
6
Big chances created
5
2
Key passes per game
0.7
0.8
Assists
6
1
The left-footed star, who scored ten goals in the last two Premier League seasons combined, did not end up at Elland Road on deadline day, though, because the Cottagers pulled the plug.
Fulham reportedly had a late change of heart and decided to keep Wilson as part of their squad after a deal for Tyrique George from Chelsea fell through for them.
This meant that Leeds ended the day without any reinforcements to their attack, and that they ended the window with Noah Okafor as the only attacking signing who was signed for a transfer fee.
The situation is what it is now, though, and Farke has to work with what he has to achieve what he feels is now unlikely – survival. One of the players he is tasked with getting the best out of is Wilfried Gnonto, who is currently worth more than both Buonanotte and Wilson.
Leeds have hit the jackpot with Wilfried Gnonto
The West Yorkshire outfit paid a fee of £3.8m to sign the versatile forward from Zurich back in the summer of 2022, and he is now worth significantly more than that.
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Leeds targeted Buonanotte and Wilson to bolster the team in the positions that Gnonto plays for the Whites, but the Italian youngster is worth even more than both of them, per Transfermarkt.
The Chelsea loanee is valued at £17.3m and the Wales international is valued at £13m by Transfermarkt, which shows that both players are highly valued players, thanks to their respective performances in the Premier League in recent seasons.
Gnonto may still be waiting for his first goal contribution in the Premier League this season, but he is an exciting young talent who has the potential to develop into a terrific option for Farke if he can hit his stride in the top-flight.
At the age of 21, the Leeds forward still has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve as a player, with every match in the Premier League another piece of valuable experience for him.
Gnonto, who was hailed as “electric” by Statman Dave when the Whites were last in the top-flight, has already shown plenty of signs of progression throughout his career at Elland Road, as illustrated by his soaring market value.
September 2022
£3.8m move from Zurich
March 2023
£15.8m
December 2023
£13.8m
May 2024
£13.8m
December 2024
£15.8m
May 2025
£19m
As you can see in the table above, the Italy U21 international is currently valued at around £19m by Transfermarkt, which means that he is worth even more than both Buonanotte and Wilson.
This also shows that Leeds have hit the jackpot with the 21-year-old starlet because his value has soared from £3.8m to £19m in the space of three years, suggesting that the club could make a gigantic profit on him in the future if they ever decide to cash in.
Gnonto’s next step is to show that he can deliver consistent quality and consistent all-round performances in the Premier League with Leeds this season to help them avoid the drop, and to show that the club did not need the attackers that they targeted in his position.
The Italian ace produced nine goals and six assists in 26 starts in the Championship last season, per Sofascore, and may be able to provide a threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals if given the chance to start regularly in the top-flight this term.
Irrespective of what happens this season, though, Leeds have undoubtedly hit the jackpot with Gnonto, who is an incredibly valuable asset for the club at this moment in time.