Wilfried Gnonto pushing to join Everton from Leeds
- Everton have already seen an offer for Gnonto rejected by Leeds
- The Whites want to keep the Italian forward but would accept a fee of around £30m
- Gnonto has made it clear to Leeds' hierarchy that he wants to hold talks with the Toffees
Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto has told the club he wants to leave with Everton hoping to finalise a deal, sources have confirmed to 90min.
Gnonto is one of the few players at Elland Road to not have a relegation release clause written into his contract, with a mass exodus around the Italian seeing Rodrigo, Robin Koch, Max Wober, Tyler Roberts, Joel Robles, Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen and Marc Roca depart.
Tyler Adams had also been closing on a £20m move to Chelsea but that deal has now fallen through - the player's representatives unable to agree terms for the United States international to move to Stamford Bridge.
Gnonto played a part in Leeds' first Championship game of the season, a comeback 2-2 draw with Cardiff, but he has made it clear that he does want to play at a lower level and refused to be a part of the Carabao Cup squad to face Shrewsbury Town.
Juventus and Napoli have shown an interest in taking Gnonto back to his homeland, but Leeds' £30m asking price has put them off as both had hoped to agree a loan deal with an option to buy.
Sources have confirmed to 90min that Everton are now pushing ahead with a move for Gnonto, though they also have an issue with Leeds' price and would prefer to negotiate a deal that sees them pay a reduced fee up front and more in instalments.
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The Toffees' push for Gnonto is in part down to a move for Hugo Ekitike becoming complicated. Paris Saint-Germain are willing to sell the young French striker after just a single season at the Parc des Princes and would also consider a loan deal.
But Everton have been joined in the race for his signature by Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund, who represent appealing options in the Bundesliga. Both clubs have opened talks over a move to Germany and it's believed the player would prefer to join one of the two instead of Everton.
Sean Dyche's side get their Premier League campaign underway on Saturday against Fulham having signed Ashley Young, Arnaut Danjuma and Youssef Chermiti, the latter of whom is a £15m arrival from Portuguese giants Sporting CP.
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