Fiorentina agree Wilfried Gnonto loan with Leeds as winger heads for first Serie A spell

Fiorentina have reached an agreement with Leeds United to sign Wilfried Gnonto on loan with an option to buy, moving the Italy international towards the first Serie A spell of his senior career.

The 22-year-old is expected to complete a medical before finalising the move, with Fiorentina set to cover his salary during the loan period.

The transfer has not yet been officially announced by either club, but multiple reports now indicate that the principal terms have been agreed.

For Fiorentina, the move represents another significant piece of a rapidly changing attacking department.

Fabio Grosso’s squad has been undergoing substantial late-window restructuring, and Gnonto offers a profile different from a conventional centre-forward or fixed wide player.

He can operate from either flank, receive between the lines and attack defenders directly with the ball, while his acceleration gives Fiorentina another option for attacking space when possession turns over.

Those characteristics have defined much of his four-year spell in England.

Gnonto joined Leeds from FC Zürich in 2022 and quickly established himself at senior level despite arriving at only 18. He has since accumulated 147 appearances and 23 goals for the Yorkshire club across all competitions.

His relationship with Leeds had appeared secure only weeks ago.

Gnonto took part in the club’s full pre-season programme and spoke publicly at the beginning of August about feeling settled at Elland Road and looking forward to another Premier League campaign.

He was subsequently registered in Leeds’ 2026-27 squad wearing No.29.

The agreement with Fiorentina therefore represents a genuine late change in direction rather than the conclusion of a move that had been inevitable throughout the summer.

Leeds also retain contractual protection.

Gnonto signed a new four-year agreement in August 2024 that runs until the summer of 2028, meaning the Premier League club were not operating under immediate pressure to sell because of an expiring contract.

A loan with an option to buy gives both sides greater flexibility.

Fiorentina can assess how quickly Gnonto adapts to Grosso’s structure before deciding whether to commit permanently, while Leeds retain control over his registration should the option not be exercised.

For Gnonto, the move carries another notable dimension.

Despite being born in Italy and spending eight years in Inter’s academy, he has never played a senior match in Serie A.

He left Italy before making his professional debut, beginning his senior career with Zürich in Switzerland before moving to Leeds two years later.

A switch to Florence would therefore bring him back to Italian club football at senior level for the first time.

Gnonto already has senior international experience with Italy and remains the youngest goalscorer in the national team’s history after scoring against Germany at 18.

Fiorentina are now positioned to give him the domestic platform he has never previously had.

The remaining steps are procedural rather than negotiating ones: medical examinations, contractual formalities and official confirmation.

Until those are completed, Gnonto remains a Leeds player.

But after four seasons at Elland Road, an agreement is now in place for the Italy international to return home and begin the first Serie A chapter of his career.