Leeds United ‘are interested’ in signing FC Zurich striker Wilfried Gnonto in what remains of the current transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The highly-rated 18-year-old has been attracting interest from several sides across the continent in recent weeks and has also come onto the west Yorkshire outfit’s radar.

What is the latest news involving Gnonto?

Reliable Sky Sports Italy reporter Gianluca Di Marzio has revealed that Leeds have now entered the race for Gnonto and that they have a ‘strong interest’ in him.

It’s claimed that the Italy international has a price tag between €4 million (£3.3m) and €5m (£4.25m), a fee that would be well within the Whites’ financial reach.

The Leeds hierarchy have purposefully targeted young promising talent in recent years, snapping up the likes of Joe Gelhardt and Darko Gyabi from Wigan Athletic and Manchester City, respectively.

Jesse Marsch is believed to be in the market for a new striker to provide cover and competition for Patrick Bamford, and Gnonto could fit the bill.

And Romano previously informed GiveMeSport that “the idea at Leeds is to keep the current squad and to add a striker”.

What has Romano said about Gnonto?

Bamford has played the lone striker role in both of Leeds’ opening two Premier League fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton.

Romano has confirmed to GMS that Marsch’s charges have Gnonto on their radar as they look to provide some strength in depth up front alongside the England international.

He said: “It was really complicated for the Dutch clubs who approached Zurich in the last few weeks. And so, Leeds are interested, but it's not something close to being completed yet.”

Would Gnonto be a good signing?

Gnonto rose through the ranks of boyhood club Inter Milan before departing for Zurich back in 2020 without making a senior appearance.

The teenager’s decision to depart San Siro in search of regular game time proved to be successful. Last season he registered 10 goals and five assists in 35 appearances across all competitions, firing his current employers to the Swiss league title.

And Gnonto’s impressive form at club level has earned him four caps for the Azzurri in which he has contributed one goal and an assist, leading to Roberto Mancini labelling him "very fast".

It remains to be seen if Leeds can fend off the competition for Gnonto, but he could be a valuable addition to Marsch’s forward line for the present and foreseeable future should he make the switch.