Gnonto: ‘I wasn’t used to being around Italians anymore’ as Leeds exit looms

FolioPitch.com – 07 October 2026 | Wilfried Gnonto has revealed that adapting to life back in Italy has been a significant change, admitting that “Gnonto I wasn t used to being around Italians anymore as Leeds exit looms” over his future at Elland Road. The 22-year-old winger joined Fiorentina on a season-long loan from Leeds United in the summer and has been settling into Serie A life, but his comments suggest a permanent departure from West Yorkshire is increasingly likely.

Speaking to Fiorentina’s official channels, Gnonto opened up about the cultural and lifestyle adjustments he has had to make since returning to his homeland. “The weather, the food and speaking Italian every day. I’d been away for a while and I wasn’t used to being around Italians anymore,” he said. “Everything is going well and I’m very happy. The lads aren’t hard to approach and spend time with. Things can only get better.”

Those remarks have only intensified speculation that his Leeds career is over. The phrase “Gnonto I wasn t used to being around Italians anymore as Leeds exit looms” has become a talking point among fans and pundits, who see his contentment in Florence as a clear sign that he has no intention of returning to England. Fiorentina hold an option to buy him for a reported €21 million, a fee that would represent a significant return on Leeds’ initial investment.

Gnonto spent four years in England after joining Leeds from FC Zurich in 2022, making 147 appearances for the club. He believes the experience improved him as a player, even if the tactical approach differed from what he now encounters in Italy. “Italian and English football are different in terms of intensity,” he explained. “Over there, training sessions are a bit shorter and there’s less tactical work, but they’re more intense. Being there, I improved a lot in that respect. I think it’s important to have a balance between the two. In England there’s more calm and they’re a bit more relaxed. Football isn’t everything there, and maybe that’s better for your personal life.”

He also credited Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli with sharpening his physical condition. “One of the things I’m sure I’ve improved on is the physical side. We’re working hard and running a lot. Mister Vanoli is making us run quite a bit, and I feel better physically. I’m at a pretty good point.”

Back at Leeds, manager Daniel Farke has shifted to a 3-4-2-1 formation, and BBC Radio Leeds’ Adam Pope doubts Gnonto has a future under the German. “It’s hard to see where Gnonto fits into Farke’s set-up any more, especially with him going back to Italy to play for Fiorentina on loan,” Pope said. “In terms of the starting pecking order, Gnonto seems way down the list. Also, if Gnonto plays regularly in Serie A, then he has a chance of reclaiming his place with Italy under Roberto Mancini, who gave Gnonto his senior international debut four years ago.”

The prospect of regular first-team football in Serie A could also boost his international ambitions. Gnonto made his senior Italy debut under Mancini in 2022 and will be hoping to force his way back into the national team setup ahead of future tournaments. With Fiorentina offering him a platform to showcase his talents, the incentive to make the move permanent is clear.

For Leeds, the situation presents a financial and sporting dilemma. The club must decide whether to trigger negotiations over the €21m option or attempt to reintegrate a player who appears increasingly detached from the project. The winger’s own words, including the recurring theme of “Gnonto I wasn t used to being around Italians anymore as Leeds exit looms”, suggest his heart lies in Italy.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Florence to see if Gnonto can maintain his form and convince Fiorentina to exercise their purchase option. For Leeds, the looming exit of a once-prized asset represents another chapter in a turbulent period. The phrase “Gnonto I wasn t used to being around Italians anymore as Leeds exit looms” encapsulates the uncertainty surrounding his future, and it seems increasingly likely that his time in England is drawing to a close.

In conclusion, Wilfried Gnonto’s adaptation to life at Fiorentina has been smooth, and his comments about not being used to being around Italians anymore underline a growing sense of belonging in Serie A. With a €21m option to buy and doubts over his role at Leeds, a permanent exit from Elland Road appears the most probable outcome. Whether Fiorentina formalise the deal remains to be seen, but the signs point strongly towards a new chapter in Italy for the young winger.