Report: Everton now face competition for ‘exceptional’ teenager from Premier League rivals

Everton could now face competition from Aston Villa for the signature of Leeds United attacker Wilfred Gnonto.

The ‘exceptional’ Italian international is valued between £12.8m and 17.2m by the Yorkshire Club, and Football Transfers reports that his representatives have been in contact with Everton.

However, as per Alfredo Pedulla, Gnonto also has admirers at Villa Park, as well as at German side SC Freiburg, suggesting that the Toffees could have their work cut out in attracting him to Goodison Park.

Both Aston Villa and SC Fruiburg have European football to look forward to next season, which will no doubt be an attractive proposition for 19-year-old Gnonto.

Everton meanwhile are likely to walk a relegation tightrope for a third consecutive season with Sean Dyche having an enormous rebuilding job on his hands.

Wilfred Gnonto could be fantastic signing for Everton, but lack of European football likely a problem

The signing of such a talented young player, Wilfred Gnonto would of course improve the club’s chances of establishing some stability and regular first-team football could entice the Italian to Merseyside.

Everton have been linked with a plethora of Leeds United players this summer as the Toffees clearly look to exploit the situation at Elland Road following their relegation to the Championship.

Whilst it makes little sense to recruit so heavily from a team who finished beneath a very poor Everton team last season, there are some players who could improve the Blues’ squad next season, Gnonto amongst them.

Indeed, Spanish international Rodrigo Moreno is available for a reported fee of just £3m, and could be a shrewd signing by Sean Dyche, scoring as he did 15 goals in all competitions for Leeds last season.

Crysencio Summerville, Jack Harrison and Tyler Adams have all also been linked with moves to Goodison park as Leeds prepare for a post-relegation fire sale.

However, if Everton want to sign 19-year-old Wilfred Gnonto this summer, they may need to fend off the attention of Aston Villa and SC Freiburg.