SEAN DYCHE has eased Leeds United’s transfer fears over losing Wilfried Gnonto to Everton.
The Toffees caused mayhem at Elland Road last season when they made a move for the Italian winger, 20, on the eve of the Championship season.
Gnonto was advised by his representatives to jump ship following the Elland Road club’s relegation.
He then tried to force a move to Everton by asking to leave – leading to an angry backlash from Leeds supporters after he requested to be left out of the squad for a game with West Brom.
Fuming fans infamously unfurled a banner of a doctored image of the star wearing a nappy as they branded him a cry baby for not wanting to play in the Championship.
The former FC Zurich ace, who arrived for £3.8m in 2022, is under contract until 2027 and eventually withdrew his request as Leeds refused to cave in and sell.
Gnonto then won back the hearts of the fans with some stunning displays that almost helped them to seal an instant return to the Premier League, only to suffer play-off final heartbreak.
Leeds are already resigned to losing influential wideman Crysencio Summerville after West Ham agreed a deal for the 22-year-old ace.
And fears have been mounting that Everton were set to revive their interest in Gnonto having failed to lure him away 12 months ago.
Boss Dyche has managed to bring in five new signings already this summer despite their precarious financial situation.
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Irish centre-back Jake O’Brien is the latest arrival after completing a £17m switch from Lyon.
Offloading Amadou Onana, Ben Godfrey and Lewis Dobbin for around £70m did allow them to bring in Iliman Ndiaye and Tim Iroegbunam on permanent deals and Jesper Lindstrom and Jack Harrison, who has returned again from Leeds, on season-long loans.
But with cash still tight at Goodison Park following last season’s two charges for breaching profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), Dyche admits that his business looks to be over for the summer window.
He said: “We are doing our best with the finance available to construct what we hope is a side that can keep growing and adding some of these players shows a sign of that.
“But it is a squad we want to keep growing and while it is stretched at the minute, as they come together, they are all going to be part of that.”
When quizzed directly on new signings amid the fresh links with Gnonto, Dyche added: “I don’t think [there will be more signings] with the finances that we have got, or haven’t, as the case may be. But we will have to wait and see.”
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