Cheikhou Kouyate is the name that has been doing the rounds in Leeds United’s search for a potential new midfielder.
Leeds have been looking at the free agent market over the international break after losing both Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev to long-term injuries earlier this month.
Kouyate was at Thorp Arch last week in a bid to prove his fitness, having been without a club since his release from Nottingham Forest in the summer, where he played very little in the second half of last season.
Carlton Palmer warned Leeds against signing Kouyate due to how long it will take to get him up to speed, but Daniel Farke must weigh up whether it is needs must.
Kouyate would provide plenty of experience to a young Leeds squad, as well as someone who can play both in midfield and at the back.
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When Leeds are expected to make Kouyate decision
Currently, Leeds have only Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell as fit senior midfielders, which places an awful lot of pressure on them to stay fit until Ampadu returns.
Tanaka in particular has it tough this week, as he is in international action for Japan against Australia today, which is far from ideal with Leeds facing Sheffield United on Friday.
That said, even if Kouyate had been signed already, Tanaka will have to start either way against the Blades, as the 34-year-old simply won’t be ready.
But with the season closing in on its resumption, a decision from Leeds will need to be made soon, and according to Team Talk, that could arrive imminently.
They reported on Monday afternoon that Farke is expected to make the final call in the next 24-48 hours, with almost half that time having been elapsed already.
Farke could place trust in Leeds teen Charlie Crew
It was reported on Friday that Kouyate had actually undergone a medical at Leeds ahead of his proposed move.
However, with several days having passed without him signing on the dotted line, it does feel more and more unlikely he will be joining.
If that is the case, it is difficult to see any other potential options that could be available and so Farke will simply have to place his trust in youngster Charlie Crew.
Farke has praised Crew’s potential in the past, but is yet to give him a single minute of senior football for Leeds, despite being on the bench several times.
That will have to change if he wants to ensure both Tanaka and Rothwell stay fresh. Though it doesn’t have to be Archie Gray levels of trust, some appearances here and there could be very useful for both Leeds and Crew.
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