Premier League club give striker permission to join Leeds; new Gnonto asking price revealed

Nottingham Forest have given Emmanuel Dennis permission to leave the club this summer amid interest from Leeds United, according to reports.

The Nigeria international signed for Forest from Watford last summer in a deal worth a reported £20m but his time at the City Ground has not gone to plan.

Dennis only started six Premier League matches last campaign with the 25-year-old making 20 appearances in total in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing two assists.

And now Football Insider claims that Nottingham Forest ‘will allow’ Dennis to leave the Premier League club this summer ‘which Leeds are aware of’.

Forest ‘are willing to sell Dennis in order to strengthen their own attack’ and the report adds: ‘With Forest willing to now sell the forward, Leeds are exploring a deal for the striker.’

Leeds could have to sell a number of their best players this summer with Rodrigo and Robin Koch already departing on permanent transfers after their relegation to the Championship.

READ MORE: Feeder clubs: Where every Premier League side has shopped most for transfers

Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen have left on loan deals and now there is a lot of reported interest in star forward Wilfried Gnonto.

Football Insider insist Everton have been told they ‘will have to pay around the region of £20m’ to land the Italian this summer with Leeds holding out for a permanent deal and not a loan move.

Italian publication Corriere dello Sport have claimed that a deal taking Gnonto to Everton is edging ‘ever closer’ but a lack of a relegation release clause means Leeds get to set his price tag.

Alfredo Pedulla revealed over the last fortnight that Aston Villa and Freiburg are also interested in Gnonto after the 19-year-old impressed in his 24 Premier League appearances last term.

Pedulla wrote on his website: “Wilfried Gnonto will leave Leeds , his valuation is around 25 million. Already three weeks ago Everton took important steps for the striker born in 2003 who – precisely because of his high valuation – has little chance of playing in Serie A.

“In recent days Aston Villa and Freiburg have also asked for information , both clubs have appreciated the recent evolutions of Gnonto.”

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson reckons the Yorkshire outfit should replace Gnonto with Newcastle United attacker Ryan Fraser.

Robinson told MOT Leeds News: “I think Fraser would be a good signing for them, especially if they’re going to lose the likes of Sinisterea and Willy Gnonto, that kind of player.

“I think he just gives you a bit of defensive solidity in the midfield too. He gives you the ability to play high and wide or he can tuck into a midfield three or four. He’s got a lot of experience.

“Newcastle has probably passed him by during the time he’s been there as the club’s gone to a different level and they’re looking at a different calibre of player now.

“But for him, it’s personally his own desire if he wants to play in the Premier League, but I think for Leeds he would be a perfect fit.”