Former Leeds United star hails 'hugely important' call after a difficult summer transfer window

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has described the decision to hand a new deal to key forward Wilfried Gnonto as “hugely important” for the club.

After watching fellow forwards Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter secure respective moves to Premier League clubs West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion over the last two months, there was speculation suggesting Gnonto could follow the duo back into the top flight the before the summer transfer window came to a close last week. However, the seven-times capped Italy international’s future was firmly clarified less than 24 hours after the window closed for business when it was confirmed he had put pen-to-paper on a new four-year deal at Elland Road. There is understood to be an exit clauses in the deal, either.

The former Inter Milan youth product joined the Whites in a £4m deal from Swiss side FC Zurich in September 2022 and he scored four goals and provided four assists in 28 appearances during his first season at Elland Road. That was not enough to help preserve the club’s Premier League status and there was speculation suggesting he could be sold during the following summer as the Whites prepared for life in the Championship. The 20-year-old remained part of the squad under new manager Daniel Farke and scored nine goals in 44 appearances as the former Norwich City boss narrowly missed out on securing an immediate return to the Premier League.

Gnonto remains a key part of the Elland Road setup and has started all four of the Whites’ Championship fixtures as Farke’s men have gone unbeaten with draws against Portsmouth and West Brom before claiming wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City. Talks over a new deal had begun during the summer and it was confirmed the talented forward had committed his future to the club ahead of Saturday’s win against Hull. The news was warmly received by former Leeds goalkeeper Robinson, who believes his old club have protected themselves by tying down one of their most important players.

Speaking to MOT Leeds News, the former Whites keeper said: “It’s hugely important for the club. I think it’s important for the club to protect their own assets, too. He had a huge turnaround last season after saying he wouldn’t play in pre-season. The manager’s man-management of the player has got the best out of him between then and the end of the season, getting him back to playing. Within 12 months, to get him to sign a new contract shows how good the player’s relationship is with Farke.

“Now, he’s starting every game and playing well. He looks in a really good place, so I’m not surprised they’ve given him a new contract. From the player’s point of view, it’s a reward for him knuckling down, getting his head around the situation, and taking on the challenge. From the club’s point of view, they’re protecting their assets, which is a sensible thing to do. With FFP and PSR, giving the player a longer-term contract keeps his transfer value strong should he ever leave.”

Gnonto will return to action when Leeds host Burnley in the Championship on Saturday week.