Victor Orta is tipping Wilfried Gnonto to ‘surprise’ supporters following his deadline day switch to Leeds United earlier this month. Gnonto’s signature was announced in the hours that followed the closure of the transfer window, with the club moving late to secure the 18-year-old from Swiss side FC Zurich.
The Italian international hasn’t had the chance to make a first-team debut yet, with the postponement of two fixtures ensuring Leeds will go a month without first-team Premier League action. However, he has made an appearance for the club’s under-21s this month, starting Leeds’ 6-2 win over Southampton in front of more than 10,000 fans at Elland Road last week.
That appearance came on the night of his latest call-up for the national team and he could be involved on Friday night as Roberto Mancini’s side take on England at the San Siro. It remains to be seen how Marsch plans to use him on the domestic scene, particularly as the head coach has previously suggested that Gnonto wouldn’t be ready for immediate Premier League action.
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However, he has trained with the senior squad this month and he’ll be keen to compete with the likes of Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt for a spot in Marsch’s set-up. Gnonto had been on Leeds’ radar for a while, but he wasn’t the only attacker the club moved to sign on deadline day.
Attempts to sign PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo and Marseille’s Bamba Dieng fell through for different reasons as Leeds recognised the need to add to their offensive options in the final few days of the window. The Whites signed nine players in total over the summer window, though, and Orta is certainly happy with the business done.
“The first thing I would say is that 90 per cent of the signings came in before pre-season in Australia, and that’s valuable,” he told the Daily Telegraph.
“The players have adapted quickly. We sold two players – Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha – and brought in five others and three young players with a lot of future. Frankly, we’ve gained depth on the bench, we have more alternatives.”
On the pursuit of a forward he added: “We also tried with Cody Gakpo. I respect his decision not to come to Leeds. And I also put myself in the shoes of PSV and I understand they couldn’t find a replacement at the last minute. We couldn't reach an agreement for Bamba Dieng either. In the end we decided on Wilfried Gnoto, who I think is going to surprise.
“He can play inside, outside, he has already made his debut for the Italian national team and has a mentality that is overwhelming. We have to be very calm, but I think the team will not be short of goals.”
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