Willy Gnonto is set to sign a new Elland Road contract

The 20-year-old is believed to be close to agreeing improved terms to remain with the club amid ongoing talks, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay and David Ornstein on 22 January.

That is despite being regularly linked to a transfer exit after his failed push to join Everton in the summer transfer window, and having rarely started for Daniel Farke in the months since.

Netsport pundit Robinson suggests the relationship with the manager must be strong for Gnonto to be ready to sign in those circumstances, and after just 10 starts in all competitions for the Italian international this term has likened the strength of the Leeds United squad to that of all-conquering Manchester City as one that is necessarily tough to get into.

The ex-England keeper believes that with world-class players forced to wait their turn under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad the same dynamic may have factored into Gnonto’s thinking at Elland Road, with Crysencio Summerville and Dan James in outstanding form this term

“He’s been a bit-part player at the best of times, started some games, been in and out of the squad. But that’s what big squads do and that’s what good squads do.

“You liken it to Manchester City in the Premier League and the way that they rotate their squad. Players realise and appreciate that in a good, strong squad that is playing a lot of games they aren’t necessarily going to start every game.

“With a new manager coming in his relationship with him must be good if what we’re hearing, that he’s going to sign a new contract, is right.”

Gnonto still has big part to play at Leeds United

The Italian may not have had the greatest game of his career in the 1-0 win over Bristol City on 2 February but he scored the only goal of the game in his first Championship start of 2024.

It was a timely reminder, in the absence of the injured James, that he could still be crucial between now and the end of the season, with promotion to the Premier League very much in sight as things stand.

Those three points could prove to be the difference between a top-two finish or a play-off spot, and if he can come up with some further crucial interventions he could help secure the chance to repeat some of his Premier League exploits in a Leeds shirt.