Darko Gyabi was expected to be a big part of Leeds United’s side after relegation to the second tier, but he is not even training with the senior side – and Daniel Farke says Leeds are working on a loan.
Gyabi, 19, joined Leeds in the summer of 2022 for a fee of £5m. Not directly involved in Kalvin Phillips’ move the other way, but a part of the talks that led to the Premier League championship signing Phillips.
In his first season at Leeds, he played five times at senior level and starred for the 21’s. He looked way above the Premier League 2 level last season when with the second string. Needed senior game time.
In the summer, Gyabi had loan interest from Fleetwood – and was even the subject of a £5m offer from French side Valenciennes. But he chose to stay. He has managed just two senior matches for Leeds.
This month, Gyabi is said to be close to a loan move to Plymouth – after Argyle lost Finn Azaz, who had starred for Plymouth on loan from Villa. It saw Luke Ayling’s new side Middlesbrough buy the playmaker.
Daniel Farke confirms Leeds working on loan exit for Darko Gyabi
Plymouth are said to be moving to sign Gyabi, as a possible replacement for Azaz. It is a move Gyabi really needs now, having got a taste of senior football – but taking a backwards step during 2023-24.
Speaking in Thursday’s press conference as per the club’s YouTube channel, Farke spoke about Gyabi and that the club are working on a loan deal. He says Gyabi needs to grow up in terms of maturity.
“Darko was in last week’s U21 training, he’s trained with them. We feel it will be good for him to go on loan because he has to grow up in his maturity on a senior level,” Farke said, when asked about Gyabi.
“We are working behind the scenes on a loan deal for him and we are carefully optimistic we will find a good loan deal for him,” Farke added. Perhaps then the next time we see Gyabi, it will be at Plymouth.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
