‘I just need’ - Aston Villa, Tottenham & Everton target sent blunt message by Leeds United manager

Leeds United forward Willy Gnonto has been issued a blunt message by manager Daniel Farke amid interest from Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

Everton are the frontrunners to sign the Italian international with the Goodison Park outfit reportedly seeing two bids rejected for the 19-year-old. The latest offer was said to be around £20m.

Villa have been credited with an interest for much of the summer but their interest does not appear to be as strong as Everton's while Tottenham Hotspur have been linked in recent days following the sale of Harry Kane.

Leeds have seen a number of players leave the club following their relegation from the top flight with Villa also linked with Whites midfielder Tyler Adams but he now appears to be on his way to Bournemouth after reports the Cherries activated a £20m clause in his contract.

Gnonto has made himself unavailable for Leeds' last two games after being told by the club he is not for sale this summer.

Ahead of Birmingham City's 1-0 win over Leeds on Saturday, a club statement from Elland Road read: “Earlier this week, Willy Gnonto and his representatives were informed by the club that he would not be sold this summer.

“Following those conversations, Willy felt he was unable to play in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie with Shrewsbury Town. Despite training for the last two days, Willy has informed Daniel Farke that he still does not feel able to play this weekend and has not travelled to Birmingham for the game tomorrow. This is now an internal disciplinary matter and the club will make no further comment, other than to reiterate that Willy Gnonto is not for sale.”

Following the revelation, Farke faced questions over Gnonto and other players who have been linked with a move away. And in response he issued a blunt response to Leeds' wantaway men.

Farke told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “It’s quite normal that it affects them because there are always discussions and they are not living on the moon.

“If some players want to leave and are not available it doesn’t make life easy for the group, that’s for sure. But I’m quite pragmatic in the situation, if someone doesn’t want to be with us he will move out of the dressing room and will not train with us because I just want a group who is fully focused and fully committed.

“And believe me this club is bigger than any player or even any manager or board member, no one is bigger than the club and this is my attitude. If someone doesn’t want to be with us it’s not like I’m praying and begging oh please play for us.

“If someone doesn’t want to be a member of our group then my reaction is always OK, from this moment on he doesn’t train with us. He can train more or less alone in his own dressing room, but not with us anymore. I just need players who are fully committed to defend this shirt.”