By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

17th Sep, 2023 | 8:00am

Sources: Leeds to offer Gnonto pay hike as pre-January deal lined up

There is a willingness to improve Wilfried Gnonto’s terms at Leeds United as they plot contract talks with the forward, sources have told Football Insider.

Football Insider revealed on Friday (15 September) that Leeds are planning talks with Gnonto, 19, in a bid to resolve his long-term future.

The Whites are keen to avoid speculation over a potential exit once again in January after the saga involving the forward during the summer.

Gnonto is one of the lowest earners at the club having only arrived at Elland Road just over 12 months ago.

According to Capology, the youngster earns £20,000-a-week at the club on a contract which is set to run until June 2027.

Top-flight Everton held the strongest interest in signing the youngster but couldn’t agree a deal with Daniel Farke’s side.

He trained alone at the start of the 2023-24 campaign after a high-profile fall-out with the club over his intention to leave – but has since been reintroduced into the squad.

The 19-year-old was excluded from the matchday squad for games against West Brom and Birmingham but returned to the side with a goal for the 4-3 win over Ipswich on 26 August.

Gnonto joined the Yorkshire outfit from FC Zurich in 2022 for a reported fee of just under £4million.

The youngster featured in several attacking roles last season, making 28 appearances in his first season in English football last term – scoring four goals and adding four assists.

He has remained at Elland Road despite an exodus of talent which saw players like Luis Sinisterra, Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams and Marc Roca leave the club following relegation to the Championship.

Gnonto is already a 13-cap Italy international and turned out for the Azzurri in their most recent qualifiers despite playing in the second tier.

In other news, Leeds United ready to axe key man as replacement already secured.