Leeds United have been looking at the free agent midfielder market in the last few days.
Daniel Farke‘s squad is desperately short of first team options in the middle of the park after losing both Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev in quick succession.
Ampadu is expected to be out until the festive period at least, while Gruev has undergone surgery on a knee injury and will be on the sidelines for several months.
Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka are now Leeds‘ only senior midfield options and though they performed well at both Norwich City and Sunderland, it is going to be difficult for them to start every single game until Ampadu returns.
Farke did seem more open to the idea of a free agent coming in after discovering the extent of Gruev’s lay-off, having initially suggested it was something he didn’t believe in.
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Leeds considering move for Cheikhou Kouyate
Though Tanaka has been the one filling in as a number four, both he and Rothwell prefer playing in that advanced eight role.
As such, Leeds now do not have a recognised holding midfielder and so according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, they have been considering a number of options.
One of those include former West Ham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest star Cheikhou Kouyate, who has been without a club since his release from the latter.
Kouyate has been without a club since his release from Forest in the summer, but would bring a wealth of experience to Leeds’ squad.
The 34-year-old has made just under 300 Premier League appearances across his career, as well as 92 caps at international level for Senegal.
Farke has often spoken about the lack of experience in Leeds’ squad in recent months and the addition of someone like Kouyate would go a long way to improving that.
Steve Cooper says Kouyate is a real leader
Not only have Leeds lost their best midfielder in Ampadu, but also their club captain. He has grown into a proper leader since joining from Chelsea.
However, Kouyate could not only help fill the void left by Ampadu on the pitch, but also off it. Former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper was full of praise for his leadership during their time together at the City Ground.
Via Nottinghamshire Live, he said: “He’s in contention to start. Cheikhou has great experience in the Premier League and he’s a big voice in the dressing room.
“He’s a fantastic character, a great guy, very happy, but very committed as well. He’s a real man’s man in terms of leadership.”
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