Cheikhou Kouyate transfer now in balance at Leeds United after Thorp Arch reveal
Cheikhou Kouyate has been at Thorp Arch in recent days with a deal to sign for Leeds United “in the balance”, according to Adam Pope.
The BBC journalist reported on X (12 October) that the 34-year-old midfielder has been at the training ground for several days as the Whites look at a free-agent addition.
Kouyate is without a club having left Nottingham Forest in the summer, with Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev out long-term at Elland Road.
Sources close to the club have told MOT Leeds News that while the club are strongly considering signing Kouyate on a free transfer, he is yet to undergo an official medical.
Cheikhou Kouyate transfer can tick several boxes for Leeds United
Bringing in a 34-year-old free agent six weeks after the transfer window slammed shut hardly screams of proactive transfer business at Elland Road, but Daniel Farke’s hand has been forced in recent weeks.
Lengthy absences for both Ampadu and Gruev – following injuries picked up in consecutive matches –have left Farke with a dearth of available options in central and defensive midfield.
Ampadu’s spell out of the side – which is set to last until the New Year at least – also leaves Joe Rodon as United’s only senior option as a right-sided centre-back, so Kouyate’s possible arrival makes a lot of sense.
The former West Ham and Crystal Palace player can cover both defensive midfield and centre-back, lifting a weight of pressure off the shoulders of Farke, Rodon, Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell.
Sam Chambers and Charlie Crew will feel ready to step into the breach, but the experience Kouyate could bring to Thorp Arch may prove to be invaluable.
In other Leeds news, one United star has given Daniel Farke no option but to start him after what he did on international duty.
The Whites’ number nine role has had a fair few question marks looming over it since the start of the season due to the poor form of Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford’s recent injury record.
While Joseph managed to bag a first-half hat trick for Spain’s Under-21s after a 4-3 home victory over Kazakhstan on 10 October, this sort of goal-scoring prowess hasn’t been replicated in the Championship.
Speaking to LeedsUnited News before the game (10 October), Bailey shared his thoughts on Leeds’ striker situation and thinks there’s a lack of belief from Farke about whether their current number nines can score the goals needed.
“I think they’ll be looking all over. Attacking-wise, I think Mateo Joseph has looked good, but there is a concern about the lack of goals, clearly,” he said.
“From my understanding, I don’t really think there is a belief that Piroe, Bamford or Gelhardt are the ones to get them goals”.
