Late deals reshape Leeds United’s attacking options
Leeds United's squad was reshuffled on deadline day as the club confirmed the departure of Wilfried Gnonto and pursued a late move for Eintracht Frankfurt winger Jean‑Mattéo Bahoya. At the same time, an approach from Sunderland for Noah Okafor was reportedly turned down.
Leeds have announced that Gnonto has joined Fiorentina on an initial season‑long loan which contains a purchase option. According to the club’s statement and reporting, should Fiorentina choose to make the transfer permanent the deal would be worth up to £18 million to Leeds when loan fees and potential add‑ons are included. The Italian forward was pictured in Fiorentina training gear as the move neared completion.
The decision to allow Gnonto to leave on loan came only after Leeds insisted on finding adequate cover for their departing forward. That sequence of events points to the club’s anxieties about maintaining depth in wide attacking positions as the Premier League campaign continues.
- Wilfried Gnonto – season‑long loan to Fiorentina with option to buy; potential total value to Leeds around £18m.
- Jean‑Mattéo Bahoya – reported late‑stage move from Eintracht Frankfurt; widely reported as a loan with a mandatory €30m purchase clause.
- Noah Okafor – approach from Sunderland rejected; Okafor has made two appearances for Leeds this season.
Multiple outlets reported that Leeds moved decisively for the 21‑year‑old Bahoya on Tuesday evening. The French under‑21 international is described as a wide attacker who can operate on the left or across the front line. Last season he scored four goals and registered four assists in 37 matches, and he has Champions League experience, having appeared in eight fixtures at that level.
“Bahoya is a 21‑year‑old wide attacker… mainly a left winger but can play in multiple offensive positions,”
Reports from Germany and transfer specialists added further context to Bahoya’s profile. He moved to Eintracht Frankfurt from Angers in January 2024 for around €8m and has since made 78 competitive appearances for the club, contributing a total of 15 scorer points (combined goals and assists). He remains under contract with Eintracht through 2029, and Transfermarkt valuation of the player had been cited at about €25m before the latest activity. One report stated the proposed structure would see Leeds take Bahoya on loan with a mandatory €30m purchase clause.
| Player | Move | Notable terms |
|---|---|---|
| Wilfried Gnonto | Loan to Fiorentina | Option to buy; up to £18m including add‑ons |
| Jean‑Mattéo Bahoya | Reported loan from Eintracht | Mandatory €30m purchase clause (reported) |
| Noah Okafor | Approach from Sunderland rejected | Has made two appearances this season for Leeds |
Leeds supporters will note the contrasting financial profiles of the two deals: the Gnonto arrangement is structured to protect the club’s immediate finances while leaving room for a larger fee if Fiorentina trigger the option; the Bahoya reports, if accurate, imply a significant long‑term investment.
Bahoya’s attributes have been outlined in reports as pace and positional versatility. One notable figure cited during his time in the Bundesliga was a recorded top speed of 37.16 km/h, underlining the physical profile that has attracted interest across Europe. He has also found the net twice in five appearances for France’s under‑21 side, according to published statistics.
The rejection of Sunderland’s interest in Noah Okafor, as reported by talkSPORT, leaves Leeds with options at forward while they finalise their planned arrivals and departures. Okafor, 22, has featured twice for the club so far this season.
For Leeds the deadline activity illustrates a balancing act: maintaining squad depth for the rigours of the Premier League while navigating the financial realities of modern transfers. How quickly the incoming player adapts – and whether the reported financial terms are completed and registered – will determine how significant this deadline‑day business proves to be for the Whites this season.
