Leeds United cannot be serious as free agent transfer news emerges
Leeds United would be making a huge mistake should they move to sign free agent Cheikhou Kouyate.
The Senegalese international has been out of contract since his release from Nottingham Forest, and reports have emerged via the Yorkshire Evening Post [10 October] that Kouyate is among the options considered at Elland Road to bolster the midfield.
Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu are set for lengthy spells on the sidelines, leaving the Whites with limited options in midfield after the international break.
While it may be tempting for Farke to enter the free agent market for stop-gap options, signing Kouyate would be a terrible misstep by the club.
Leeds United should steer clear of Cheikhou Kouyate
The 34-year-old, who has 291 Premier League appearances, would not be immediately ready to enter the first-team frame, and Leeds cannot afford to wait for the midfielder to get up to speed.
Ampadu will return to the side in the coming weeks, surely pushing Kouyate to the back of the pecking order under Farke, so he would need to make an immediate impact should the transfer be sanctioned.
Kouyate has extensive Premier League experience due to spells at West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. However, he is far past his best years and the physical attributes in which he used to excel in the top flight are rapidly declining.
Forest are by no means one of the best sides in the Premier League and have lingered within lower to mid-table security for the past few seasons. If they were willing to see Kouyate depart the club, just how would he fare at Elland Road?
With Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka deputising for the time being, there is no rush for Farke to prioritise further recruits in midfield, and unless an option emerges that can continue to push the pecking order once Leeds are at full strength, a move for anyone makes no sense.
Kouyate is far from the most glamorous name to be linked with a move to Elland Road, and for good reason. Leeds should stay far clear of a player past his best days and would at best be a short-term fix.
In other Leeds news, Patrick Bamford predicts Leeds United’s automatic promotion race in the Championship.
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