Gnonto dons Fiorentina colours as Leeds’ rebuild gathers pace
Well, there’s your tell. Wilfried Gnonto has been filmed in full Fiorentina clobber, and barring any late curveballs, the Leeds United winger is on his way back to Serie A. It’s a move that’s felt on the cards for months, and now the pictures have done the talking.
The Italian international has struggled for regular minutes over the last year as Daniel Farke’s Leeds shifted to a narrower, winger-light approach. When the system changes and the touchline stops being your friend, exits become inevitable — and this one suits all parties.
Over the weekend, Sky Sports Italia revealed talks between Leeds and La Viola over a loan, and on Monday night Gianluca Di Marzio’s clip on X showed the 22-year-old emerging to greet fans in a Fiorentina shirt. A handshake here, a smile there, then into a car and away — the modern transfer reveal in living colour.
The expectation is straightforward: medical wrapped up and paperwork tied before Tuesday’s final confirmation. For Fiorentina, it’s a low-risk punt on pace and directness; for Leeds, it trims a piece that no longer fit the jigsaw.
Farke’s summer shake-up
This is no one-off. Leeds have been busy turning the squad inside out. Out the door have gone Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Karl Darlow, Isaac Schmidt, Sebastian Bornaauw, Jack Harrison, Sam Byram, Joel Piroe, Joe Gelhardt and Lucas Perri. That’s a proper clear-out by any standard and a sign of Farke’s authority in the project.
In their place, fresh legs and fresh ideas: Harry Wilson has arrived on a free from Fulham, with Tarek Muharemovic, James Trafford, Nico Elvedi and Michael Zetterer also checking in. On paper, that blend gives Leeds more control at the back and guile between the lines — exactly what a narrower set-up demands.
Why Gnonto to Fiorentina makes sense
For Gnonto, Florence offers a reset. Serie A defenders won’t enjoy chasing him into the channels, and in a side that values quick transitions, his end product should tick up. If he hits stride, Fiorentina get a spark without overcommitting, and Leeds bank a chance to protect value while keeping their tactical course steady.
If you’re tracking how the market reads it, have a look at our best betting sites guide — transfer odds are shifting fast and early-season prices tend to move with every clip, whisper and medical.
Early signs for Leeds
Results haven’t been shabby either. A 1-0 opening-day win over Nottingham Forest, a gritty 1-1 with Brentford at the weekend, and a tidy 2-0 against Forest in the EFL Cup to reach round three. That’s the look of a side settling into its skin under Farke, even as the squad list keeps changing.
Pundit’s verdict
Call it pragmatic. Leeds are doubling down on a system that’s delivering points, and moving out a talented winger who doesn’t quite fit is part of the ruthlessness you need at this level. Gnonto gets a platform, Fiorentina get a livewire, and Leeds keep the rebuild humming. Everyone leaves happy — as long as the signatures land on Tuesday.
