SC Freiburg are conjuring up a plan to sign Wilfried Gnonto from Leeds United this summer. But pulling it off? That’s proving complicated.
According to Sky Germany, the Breisgau club are pushing hard for the 22 year old Italian. Talks between Freiburg and Gnonto’s representatives have already started. They want him. He’s open to it.
The problem? Leeds.
Leeds open to a sale but on their terms
Florian Plettenberg reports that the Premier League club are open to a sale or a loan with an obligation to buy. They’re not blocking a move. But they’re not giving him away either.
Freiburg have been negotiating for weeks. Weeks. That suggests a significant gap in valuation.
Transfermarkt values Gnonto at €18million. Leeds will want something close to that. Freiburg, historically, do not splash that kind of cash on a single player.
A difficult season in Yorkshire
Gnonto has largely struggled to feature for Leeds this season. Just 473 top flight minutes. Three assists. No goals. A calf injury also curtailed a chunk of his potential playing time.
This is not a player in peak form. This is a player who needs a move to reboot his career.
Freiburg can offer that. Bundesliga football. A club known for developing talent. A clear pathway to minutes.
But they need to find the money.
What happens next?
The talks continue. Freiburg are keen. Gnonto wants out of Leeds. Leeds are open to a deal.
But until the fee is agreed or a loan structure is hammered out, nothing moves.
Freiburg have pulled off clever deals before. Loans with options. Structured payments. Sell on clauses. They’ll need all their creativity for this one.
The bottom line
Gnonto is stuck in limbo. Leeds don’t want to keep an unhappy player. Freiburg can’t afford the asking price.
Something has to give.
A loan with an obligation to buy feels like the most likely compromise. Spread the cost. Give Leeds their money eventually. Get Gnonto out the door now.
But until that compromise is reached, the Italian waits. And Freiburg keep negotiating.
Weeks and counting. No end in sight. Yet.
