Daniel Farke confirms Leeds United on brink of free transfer signing decision in ‘closer’ update
Leeds United will have made a decision on a free agent signing by the end of next week at the latest, Daniel Farke has confirmed.
The Whites boss told Adam Pope in his 21 October press conference, ahead of the clash with Watford a day later, that a move could still happen much quicker, suggesting the next few days could bring a development.
The German has been looking at potential reinforcements for the central midfield after losing both Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev to long-term knee injuries.
Farke said: “Yeah it’s a bit closer. Latest by the end of next week we’ll have a decision made in any direction.
“But it can also happen quick and let’s see what the next days will bring.”
Leeds United eye Francis Coquelin and Josuha Guilavogui
Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell have so far managed to prevent the injury crisis in midfield from having a serious impact on results, with the Japan international in particular singled out for major praise.
But Farke is currently one more injury away from a major headache, and with fixtures coming thick and fast it would put a lot of strain on the pair of summer arrivals to man the centre of the park for the next two months or more.
Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate looked like he might be the man to provide cover but a deal collapsed over a failed medical last week MOT Leeds News understands, following some “dispute” over whether there was sufficient interest between club and player for a deal [Pope, 14 October].
Since then ex-Arsenal man Francis Coquelin has been brought in to have a look at [Fabrizio Romano, 18 October] and Josuha Guilavogui is also in the frame after leaving Mainz in the summer [Leeds Live, 19 October].
Farke isn’t believed to be a major fan of late free agent signings due to how long it takes for players to get match fit, and both Coquelin, 33, and Guilavogui, 34, last played in May for Villarreal and Mainz respectively.
However, it is a needs-must situation for the Whites boss and unless he trusts an academy talent to step up he may be better off with some veteran cover still working their way back to full-sharpness than nothing at all.
And if Tanaka and Rothwell can keep up their current form it would give a new man in more time to get comfortable before needing to feature.
In other Leeds United news, a radio producer couldn’t hide what Whites fans did to Chris Wilder on the live broadcast.
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