Pete O’Rourke column: Leeds to open Gnonto talks, West Ham race to sign striker after door opens, Partey could quit Arsenal

Sun 17 September 2023 19:00, UK

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LEEDS UNITED

The Whites are planning talks with Wilfried Gnonto to resolve his future at Elland Road.

He was the subject of much speculation in the summer window, with Everton seeing a number of bids rejected and other Premier League and European clubs also interested.

Gnonto has been introduced back into the Leeds squad after previously training alone and is now focused on the season ahead.

The club want to discuss the possibility of a new contract despite Gnonto’s current terms being not set to expire until June 2027.

He is one of the lowest earners at the club following relegation and Leeds are keen to end speculation about his future by handing him a better contract.

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In a completely different situation to Gnonto is goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

I’m told the club are still ready to consider offers for his services in January after interest failed to materialise in the summer.

Leeds feel they have adequate cover between the sticks after moving for Karl Darlow in the summer window.

He was signed as the club’s new number one, but Meslier has started the new campaign following a lack of offers in the window.

ARSENAL

Thomas Partey could consider quitting the Gunners if he can’t get back into the side following his injury.

Partey is set to miss around a month of action after starting the season out in an unfamiliar right-back role.

Interest from Juventus has once again surfaced following Paul Pogba’s suspension – and the Italian giants could swoop for the Arsenal star mid-season if they need to strengthen their squad.

Partey will have just 18 months remaining on his contract in January.

There was a possibility of the Ghana international leaving Arsenal in the summer window, but manager Mikel Arteta was very keen to keep him at the club.

WEST HAM

The Irons are on red alert with Hugo Ekitike set to quit Paris Saint-Germain in January.

He is well down the pecking order at the Parc des Princes following the arrival of Randal Kolo Muani.

The French giants were left frustrated that Ekitike didn’t join Eintracht Frankfurt as part of the deal to bring Kolo Muani to the club.

Instead, he wanted a Premier League move and held talks with English clubs – including West Ham and Crystal Palace.

PSG and the player have accepted it is best if he moves on in January and there will be interest in the striker in the mid-season window.

Palace and West Ham interest hasn’t gone away, I’m told, and they could reignite a move in the new year.

CHELSEA

The Blues don’t want to lose Reece James despite long-term reports of interest from Real Madrid.

He was made club captain in the summer and Chelsea are keeping faith with him despite his persistent injury problems.

They hope he can steer clear of fitness problems and become a key man for new manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Meanwhile, the player himself wants to repay the faith shown in him by Pochettino after he was made the new skipper at Stamford Bridge.

I’m told it would take a ridiculous offer for Chelsea to consider selling James as they want to build their team around players like him in future windows.

Meanwhile, it will be difficult for Trevoh Chalobah to play a big part under Pochettino this season.

There was strong interest from Bayern Munich in the summer window but the two clubs could not agree a fee – while Chalobah also turned down a move to Nottingham Forest.

Bayern could revisit a move in January with Thomas Tuchel a big fan of the defender following their time together at Chelsea.

I’m told he is a player the Blues are keen to sell in order to balance the books – as he is considered pure profit under Financial Fair Play regulations.

Sources say Chalobah is keen to play regular first-team football.

Chelsea blocked deadline day interest from Tottenham in Conor Gallagher despite being well-stocked in midfield.

I’m told they could consider parting with the midfielder in January if the right offer arrives.

Gallagher is happy at Chelsea and wants to stay and fight for his place, but could soften his stance on an exit if he loses his place in the side to the likes of Romeo Lavia or Carney Chukwuemeka.