Leeds United are about to complete their first piece of transfer business on deadline day, but it’s a player leaving the club rather than the attacking reinforcement Daniel Farke has been asking for.
Farke wants a player that can play numerous positions, likely to be out wide or in the 10 role. But the likes of Bilal El Khannouss, Christantus Uche, Facundo Buonanotte and Eduard Spertsyan are no longer options.
Spertsyan has ruled out a late move, Uche is set for Palace and El Khannouss is joining Stuttgart for a fee of £26m.
And now Leeds’ first deadline day movement is an out going player.
Darko Gyabi to join Hull City on a permanent deal
The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth revealed on Twitter/X that Leeds United youngster Darko Gyabi’s move to Hull City will be a permanent deal.
Hull’s ongoing financial issues, which include being under transfer restrictions from the EFL, mean they are limited to signing players on loan or as free agents. This makes a permanent transfer with a fee unlikely at this time.
Gyabi has not appeared for Leeds United this season and is far down the pecking order in terms of midfielders, making a move away from Elland Road a logical step for his development.
He will join fellow Leeds loanee Joe Gelhardt at the MKM Stadium. Gyabi is in the final year of his contract with Leeds, so it is possible the club may need to agree a new deal with him before the loan is finalised, to avoid losing him as a free agent next summer.
- READ MORE: Transfers Leeds United could complete on deadline day, from Dilane Bakwa to a familiar face
Darko Gyabi’s career at Leeds United
Darko Gyabi’s time at Leeds United began on July 4, 2022, when he was signed from Manchester City for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £5 million. The central midfielder joined the club on a four-year deal.
During his initial time at Leeds, Gyabi primarily featured for the U21 squad, playing a key role in their success.
He made his senior debut for the club in the EFL Cup in a match against Wolves and his Premier League debut against his former club, Manchester City, in December 2022. However, he has found first-team opportunities limited.
He spent time on loan at Plymouth Argyle, first for a short period and then for the majority of the 2024-25 season.
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