Leeds United express interest in 33-year-old free agent after he terminated deal three weeks ago

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Leeds United are busy trying to get new players in at Elland Road before the deadline on August 30 and they have turned their attention to an experienced free agent.

Leeds are about to wave goodbye to Georginio Rutter for a fee of £40m, with the Frenchman set for a move to Brighton. He will become the eighth player to be sold by Leeds, after Crysencio Summerville.

Archie Gray, Charlie Cresswell and four others have also been sold by The 49ers, who have raked in a whopping £120m in transfer fees. But instead of splashing the cash, Leeds have spent a modest £15m.

That is expected to change over the next couple of weeks with Daniel Farke making it publicly clear on Saturday he would like four new signings before the deadline in 12 days’ time, to bolster his squad.

• READ MORE: Stuart Dallas has a theory as to why Leeds have been slow in the transfer window

Leeds turn attention to free agent with 31 Switzerland caps

Three weeks ago, 33-year-old ace Michael Lang mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Swiss giants FC Basel. The 31-time Swiss star opted to leave after being an unused sub in Basel’s first game.

Naturally a right-back, Lang has played in the middle of defence and in midfield during his career. The versatile ace had a hand in 64 goals in 221 games for Basel, winning the Swiss League on two occasions.

The Mail (18/08, p98) say that Leeds have ‘expressed’ an interest in signing Lang on a free. A player that would perhaps provide cover in a number of different roles for Farke ahead of another gruelling season.

Ilia Gruev could help play key role in Leeds signing Lang

Rewind four years, and Gruev was a young teenager trying to push his way into Werder Bremen’s first team. A side that included Lang, who was loaned to Werder Bremen from Borussia Monchengladbach.

Gruev didn’t make his debut for Werder Bremen until the 2020-21 campaign, the season after Lang had spent a year on loan there. But the chances are, they are likely to have trained together in Germany.

Leeds do need a full-back and Lang would help provide cover at no cost to The Whites. His experience and versatility could be key, and would surely be happy as back-up rather than being first choice.