Wilfried Gnonto: How Fiorentina manager sacking will impact Leeds exit
Wilfried Gnonto is still set for regular game time at Fiorentina despite Fabio Grosso's sacking as he looks to seal a permanent Leeds exit, sources have told Football Insider.
The Italian winger was linked away from Leeds throughout the summer window before sealing a season-long loan to Fiorentina on Deadline Day.
Fiorentina are in turmoil after they sacked Fabio Grosso following three straight Serie A defeats to start the season earlier this week.
Gnonto will now have to earn his place under new boss Paolo Vanoli, who did not oversee his arrival and may not have him in his plans.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, he should still be given the chance to impress, as Fiorentina sporting director Fabio Paratici was the main driving force behind his signing, not Grosso.
The Serie A club could take up his £18million option-to-buy if he impresses, but he is still likely to leave Leeds next summer regardless of what happens.
Fabio Grosso sack will not affect Wilfried Gnonto's Leeds exit situation
Sources exclusively revealed to Football Insider before his exit that Leeds were keen to sell Gnonto permanently, rather than agree for him to leave on loan.
The 22-year-old made his La Viola debut against Torino last weekend, but it remains to be seen how key he will be to Vanoli's plans.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "I don't think it’ll have any massive impact on his long-term future. Obviously, it's a new manager that Gnonto has to try and impress and try and work his way into his first-team plans in that respect.
"That's never ideal for any new player, when they join a club and the manager changes so quickly, but Gnonto was a target and was brought in by Fiorentina's sporting director, Fabio Paratici, rather than the manager. Paratici wanted Gnonto on board for Fiorentina, and it was a case of the manager then using Gnonto and getting the best out of him."
What has Daniel Farke said about Gnonto leaving Leeds?
Farke utilised Gnonto heavily in the Championship, but his game time decreased massively after their promotion to the Premier League.
The Whites boss has been sympathetic to his situation over the last 12 months, particularly after the 22-year-old was forced into a wing-back role after their switch to 3-4-2-1.
Farke admitted last week that it was a tough decision to let Gnonto leave, but hinted that he has no long-term future at the club.
He said: “I have to say it was a joy, really, to work with him the last few years, and yeah, I had more than one tear in my eyes when I gave him the last hug. It was really a difficult decision for me.
“But for him, for the player, it's the right decision, and we have to keep in mind that we work with human beings and not just with robots. And for that, I think everyone would agree. As tough as this decision was, it was definitely the right decision.”