Tottenham may be tempted to strike a swap deal with Leeds that would benefit all parties.
Ange Postecoglou: In January, Tottenham might gain from a trade. Given that Ange Postecoglou might find himself a steal in January, Tottenham might be able to work out a swap agreement with Leeds United that will work out well for both parties. The sudden availability of youthful winger Wilfried Gnonto could persuade the Australian to suggest a possible trade to the Championship team. Spurs have been rocked by a wave of injuries in recent weeks, leaving them thin in attack.
The Italy international is reportedly eager to conclude his 18-month stay in Yorkshire and complete a transfer to a larger team. Gnonto hasn’t played much for Daniel Farke since he gave up on winning a transfer during the summer transfer window in order to fight to get Leeds back into the top division.
A few Serie A teams are interested in bringing Gnonto back to his home country; Lazio and Roma are ready to compete for his signature. The 20-year-old prospect ‘requested to leave’ Leeds, citing a lack of playing time with the team, and Tuttomercatoweb reports that Maurizio Sarri is thinking of sending the winger back to Italy.
Leeds and Lazio representatives are rumoured to have already spoken, with the Rome-based team reportedly investigating the potential of a trade. Gnonto’s lack of playing time, meanwhile, may cause Lazio to wait for a loan option to present itself as the team is not known for shelling out enormous sums of money on transfer fees under president Claudio Lotito.
This season, Gnonto has played for Leeds in the Championship nine times, but he has only started six of those contests. Farke clearly prefers players like Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter in his assault, as evidenced by the fact that his only goal of the current campaign came away to Ipswich Town back in August.
After joining from FC Zurich in September 2022, the young player made an impression on Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville after their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in January. Neville said, “To see someone so mature, so young is very unusual in that position. Sometimes you see potential and talent but watching him so closely, his understanding of where to be, his choice of pass, when to run with it, his awareness of team-mates, really good, honestly.” The young player’s impressive Premier League play led to him becoming a fan favourite last season.
Joe Rodon: The on-loan defender is enjoying life with Leeds.
Joe Rodon, who is presently on loan at Elland Road until the end of the season, gives Spurs a bargaining chip that could give them the advantage.
The 26-year-old centre back was sent out on loan for the previous two seasons and was not able to secure a permanent transfer to Rennes in the previous campaign. Although he has little chance of making the team under Postecoglou, the Wales defender’s stay with Leeds has been more promising, and he might be eager to join them permanently.
Although Rodon’s contract is scheduled to expire in the summer of 2025, Spurs are apparently willing to pay £20 million for him, which could give Leeds the upper hand. Given that Gnonto is eager to depart and that it is unlikely they would pay such a cost absent a promotion, a swap deal would be mutually beneficial for both teams.