Another transfer name emerges for Leeds United amid Cheikhou Kouyate noise

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The Christmas lights haven’t even gone up, yet the transfer noise around Leeds United is ramping up.

There is huge pressure on Daniel Farke’s doorstep this season, it’s either promotion or bust, especially after Leeds’ Championship play-off final heartache last season.

The campaign hasn’t gone to plan, but not everything is bad, with the team sitting in fifth and knowing that they simply can’t slip up when the players return from the international break.

By then, many will be hoping that the nightmare of Illan Meslier’s howler against Sunderland has faded away because it’s the small matter of Sheffield United visiting Elland Road next.

In the meantime, there has been some interesting transfer noise around Leeds, especially with Farke needing to bolster the defensive side of his team’s game.

Cheikhou Kouyate is at Thorp Arch and it seems as though he could be signing for the Whites after leaving Nottingham Forest last season.

That’s the free agent market, come the January transfer window, Leeds could be making some interesting moves and dipping into a niche market.

Leeds United are interested in Steaua Bucharest defender Joyskim Dawa

Ethan Ampadu’s injury has proven to be a problem in midfield and the back for Farke because he is now short of defensive-minded options.

The Mirror reports Leeds’ interest in centre-back Joyskim Dawa, who plays for Steaua Bucharest and recently impressed in the Europa League.

It is said that Dawa is a ‘late bloomer’ and the 28-year-old has a £4 million price tag on his head after impressing in the Europa League this term.

The issue for those in Yorkshire is that Premier League eyes are also on him, with Everton and Fulham also keeping tabs on the ‘bargain’ transfer.

Time for Leeds to pick up

When Farke first came in last season, he came in late, walked into a mess and players wanted to leave when the summer transfer window was still open.

He took time to settle down, but when he did – around this time last season – not only did the team start racking up the points, but they were keeping clean sheets for fun.

READ MORE: Five former Leeds United players from way back who are still playing today

You sense, Leeds’ Friday night clash against Sheffield United allows them to set that marker again, put their foot down and go for those automatic places.