Journalist questions attitude of Willy Gnonto as West Ham United want to sign Leeds United ace in last-gasp deal
We’re delighted to welcome Sky Sports News journalist Dan Bardell for his exclusive reaction to West Ham transfer news on Deadline Day…
Dan Bardell has questioned the attitude of Willy Gnonto after West Ham have been linked with a move for the Leeds United forward before the transfer window closes on Thursday (1 February).
Speaking to GiveMeSport on Wednesday (31 January), the former Eurosport journalist Dean Jones said a deal for the 20-year-old Italian international would “appeal” to the Hammers after deals for Ibrahim Osman and Jota have failed to materialise.
He revealed that he’s been told the Irons “don’t want to panic” in making a forward addition this month, but he added that it’s best to stay “open-minded” about the East Londoners when it comes to the last hours of a window.
Bardell believes the Irons could do better than Gnonto, who has lost his place in the Whites’ starting lineup over the past few months.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Bardell said: “Gnonto is a bit of a funny one. You have to question his attitude because I’d always be wary of signing a player who has refused to play for a club like he did at Leeds earlier in the season.
“I’m not convinced he’s ready to be at a team like West Ham at the moment. Even though he had bright moments for Leeds last season, he’s young and he’s inconsistent.
“I think actually West Ham could sign better than that at the moment. They are in the market for a wide player still and one might potentially still come in.
“They are in the position now where, actually, if they want to sign young, attacking talent for relatively big money, they could steal a march on other teams because they’re okay with profit and sustainability.
“These players are also not under any pressure, they are coming into a good environment because they don’t have to come straight into the team and fire straightaway.
“They could use the second half of the season to get used to the Premier League, get a full pre-season and form more part of the first-team squad next season.”
In other West Ham news, a profit and sustainability situation has emerged in one Premier League club’s pursuit of a Hammers player.
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