Daniel Farke should now move for free agent Leeds United wanted last summer after major Ilia Gruev blow

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Daniel Farke did not completely rule out the possibility of Leeds United dipping into the free agent when asked earlier this week.

Farke was quizzed on the possibility in his pre-Sunderland press conference following knee injuries sustained by Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev within a matter of days.

The Leeds boss suggested that movement would hinge on the severity of Gruev‘s injury, of which he was personally unable to clarify on Wednesday afternoon.

However, Leeds confirmed the worst possible news last night. After scans, it was revealed that Gruev is set for a number of months on the sidelines and will undergo surgery due to a damaged meniscus.

With Ampadu also set to be out for 10 weeks, that leaves Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka as Leeds’ only fit senior midfielders, further enhancing the prospect of a free agent coming in.

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Leeds should move for Edouard Michut after Gruev blow

Farke did raise some valid points when discussing the prospect of Leeds signing a free agent earlier this week, perhaps none more so than how long it will take them to get up to speed.

What’s more, the majority of players without a club right now are all very much at the end of their careers, apart from potential option in Edouard Michut.

Michut was actually a target of Leeds’ last summer but he instead ended up joining Adana Demirspor from PSG, whom he joined permanently in January.

However, Michut actually decided to terminate his own contract at the Turkish side back in August due to unpaid salaries, meaning he is now available for nothing.

Though Michut would not exactly be a like-for-like replacement for either Ampadu or Gruev, he would provide Leeds with another option in that number eight role.

As such, Tanaka and Charlie Crew would then be able to battle it out in holding midfield, with Michut providing cover and competition for Rothwell.

Michut is still only 21 and very much has the best years of his career ahead of him, and does also have Championship experience, having spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Sunderland.

Leeds are now desperate for bodies as a busy period of the campaign approaches after the international break, and Michut certainly looks like the best option if the free agent market is the route they decide to take.

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Marco Verratti said Michut was a top talent at PSG

At one stage earlier in his career, Michut had looked as though he would develop into a first team player at Ligue 1 Champions PSG.

Of course, it has not quite materialised for him that way, but it shows the sort of talent and potential he has in his locker.

Speaking back in January 2022, former PSG star midfielder Marco Verratti was full of praise for Michut after a game against Lyon.

He said: “It’s nice, I think they [Michut and Xavi Simons] deserved their chance, they always train well. Mentally they’re ready, we saw it today. Édouard was decisive.”