While Willy Gnonto’s father confirms the teenager is ‘furious’ with FC Zurich for not letting him play in the Under-19 European Championship, Freiburg step forward and the price-tag is set at €15m.
The 18-year-old forward has never played in Serie A, leaving the Inter youth academy to join FC Zurich as a free agent last summer.
He was launched into the senior Italy squad by Roberto Mancini during the Nations League, scoring one goal in four appearances and providing an assist within minutes of his debut.
However, Gnonto won’t be participating for Italy in the European Under-19 Championship because FC Zurich refused to release him for the tournament.
“They want him to rest and be ready for the Champions League preliminary rounds in mid-July,” revealed father Boris Gnonto on Radio RAI 1.
“He is even more furious than I am. He’s very, very disappointed, as he worked all year to be ready for this, and he’s the captain of the Under-19 team. We all tried to make Zurich listen, but they just refused.”
The tension with FC Zurich is not helped by the on-going reports Gnonto will leave this summer, with a return to Italy possible, but also the Bundesliga.
“New offers come in every day, I read about Freiburg and Hoffenheim, we’ll see if they are ready to pay the €15m that Zurich are asking for.”
Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio also names Freiburg as the latest prime candidates to sign Gnonto, although the cost is considered to be closer to €10m than €15m.
Niente Europei Under 19 per Gnonto, il padre: E’ arrabbiato più di me” https://t.co/uEQ0vMBEbW
— FcInterNews.it (@FcInterNewsit) June 17, 2022
Yet another kid having one bit of fame and stuff coming out in the media about attitude, be diplomatic say disappointed, hell even disenfranchised but to me I’m sick of seeing these kids have so much power and attitude despite doing nothing except score one goal.
what do you mean. he wanted to played for his national team. its nothing wrong with that. its natural to disappointed. and its big tournament its EURO U-19 and he never got any chance left consider his age and this U-19 tournament.
i like this kid – very ambitios! hopfully he will join german side who will develope him and not return to serie a who will destroy him (unless it will be to pioli’s ac milan)
When your country calls…that is paramount. Every club should understand & respect that. I would be beyond p*ssed as well.
Chris – You are no doubt a ‘club before country’ man!
It makes me so angry when clubs do not release their players for the national team! How many times have we seen clubs pretend that their players are injured before international matches, then suddenly & miraculously recovered for the next bout of domestic games!
He was their leading scorer in qualifying he should be there
If every club did what FC Zurich have done to Gnonto then there would never be any Euro championships u19 or otherwise. Where’ s UEFA when that are needed? UEFA should be putting pressure on Clubs and supporting players in these matters.
gnonto is a talent & we should respect such talent. thank you! gnonto is a perfect example how italian talents appreciated outside Italy than inside. gnonto is patriotic member of national team & he wants to continue as a leader of U-19 national team. I salute your courage & wisdom Gnonto.
The 2 Lazio players, who one morning at the recent Italy retreat, discovered an undetected injury should take lessons from Willy.
This is how you build for the future. Players that will go through a wall and sweat through the shirt.
But Chris shows up with accusations of “attitude”, and primadonna.
Get a clue.
Thank goodness Gnonto chose to play for the Nazionale.
Hopefully, there are more talented treasures that SeriA A club ownership can discover.
What a professional and wise young man. Thank you Gnonto for your dignity!
Build the youth sector!