Leeds United respond as multi-million bid tabled for Darko Gyabi
Leeds United have rejected a bid of up to £4million from French club Valenciennes for Darko Gyabi, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth.
The journalist reported via his personal Twitter account on Thursday (31 August) that the Whites are, however, open to loan offers for the midfielder.
The 19-year-old, who joined Leeds from Manchester City last summer, has made just five first-team appearances for the Elland Road club.
“Leeds United have rejected a bid for Darko Gyabi from Valenciennes (majority owned by Southampton’s ownership group),” Smyth wrote on Twitter.
“The Whites are open to loan offers however.”
Surplus to requirements
Gyabi has not been handed much playing time since arriving at Elland Road, with the youngster featuring for just 46 minutes this season.
The teenager was given 45 minutes in the EFL Cup win over Shrewsbury Town, as well as one minute in the Championship win against Ipswich Town.
He is clearly surplus to requirements under manager Daniel Farke, but at the same time is obviously being viewed as a player for the future, with the Whites only wanting to lose the player temporarily.
A loan move would undoubtedly help the youngster in so many ways, but perhaps Leeds want that to come at a club playing at a higher standard than Valenciennes, for example, who currently sit 17th in Ligue 2.
A switch to another Championship team could be the best option, allowing the Whites to keep a close eye on their midfield prodigy, although it wouldn’t make sense to loan him to a direct rival.
In other Leeds United news, Gary Neville shared an “absolutely furious” verdict in the first half of the club’s EFL Cup clash with Salford City on Tuesday (29 August).