The Athletic’s chief Leeds United writer Phil Hay has revealed that Whites midfielder Darko Gyabi is set to feature more prominently for the club during the upcoming season, and that the hierarchy are keen on retaining his services.
It comes amid claims that “enquiries from abroad” have already arrived for Gyabi, as well as previous interest from Norwich, West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday.
The 19-year-old joined Leeds from Manchester City for a fee of £5m last summer and – despite only making three first-team appearances for the club so far – is tipped for a bright future in West Yorkshire.
Gyabi flourished in Leeds’ Under-21s side last season, notching two goals and assisting four from his defensive midfield position, and will be eyeing a slot in Daniel Farke’s starting XI this term.
As is often the case with promising youngsters such as Leeds’ very own Wilfried Gnonto – transfer interest in developing talent is often widespread – yet nothing concrete appears to have yet materialised for Gyabi.
And even where interest has cropped up it has been quickly knocked back by the Whites hierarchy, according to Hay.
Hay wrote: “Norwich City made strong overtures and at the same time, there was Dutch and Belgian interest in him, which Leeds were able to fend off with the offer of a four-year deal.
“Already this summer, enquiries from abroad have come again, but in the list of names who Leeds hope to move out of Elland Road, Gyabi’s is absent.
“There were loan bids for him in the January window at the start of this year, the strongest from West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday, but Leeds resolved to keep him at the last minute, even though none of their head coaches had used him before the season finished.
“Now his chances are more serious.”
