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Josuha Guilavogui linked with move to Paris – Leeds United should approach with caution

Leeds United are not expected to make any major changes in their squad during the winter transfer window. Joe Gelhardt has joined Hull City on loan but that is likely to be the only major departure this month. Patrick Bamford has been linked with a move to Blackburn Rovers and Wilfried Gnonto has also attracted interest from Saudi Arabia but both are expected to stay at Elland Road. Josuha Guilavogui is now being linked with a return to France where Paris FC are interested in signing him. The French side are considering signing him but should Leeds allow him to leave if they receive an offer for him before the end of the window on 3rd February?

Leeds were in panic mode in October when Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev picked up injuries which were going to keep them out of action for a couple of months at least.

Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell were the only fit senior midfielders left in their squad and Leeds made an emergency move to sign Josuha Guilavogui on a free transfer to cover for the injuries in their squad.

However, Tanaka and Rothwell stepped up to the player. They held the fort admirably with their performances in the middle of the pitch and Guilavogui mostly found himself on the bench.

The Frenchman made his first start for Leeds last Saturday in the 1-0 win over Harrogate Town in the FA Cup and was unimpressive in the role of a centre-back.

Ampadu returned to the squad last month, and Gruev has also recovered from his injury. Leeds again have four top midfielders to choose from, and Guilavogui is unlikely to get a look in anytime soon.

Paris FC want Josuha Guilavogui but should Leeds let him go?

According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, French second-tier side Paris FC are interested in getting their hands on the midfielder in the ongoing window.

They are under the umbrella of Red Bull who are minority owners of Leeds and the French side are considering snapping up the 34-year-old midfielder.

A move to France would appeal to him and he doesn’t look like he will get a chance to thrive in midfield at Leeds until the end of the season.

Leeds have four top midfielders to choose from and a return to his homeland would make sense for Guilavogui in the winter transfer window.

However, Leeds must look at all scenarios before any decision to sell the midfielder is taken before the end of the window on 3rd February.

The Championship is a gruelling league and the Leeds squad will get stretched as they chase automatic promotion in the second half of the season.

Leeds would want to avoid another situation like last October when they were down to two midfielders and were forced to sign Guilavogui on a free transfer.

For now, it seems Leeds won’t need him but after one or two knocks or injuries, Guilavogui’s cover in midfield will be felt if he moves on from Elland Road.

Daniel Farke will not want to weaken his squad

The Leeds United boss is not tempted to add to his squad in the winter window and if there are no major injuries, he will trust the current squad to get them promoted.

However, Farke is also not keen to weaken his option and Gelhardt was only allowed to leave because he was not even making matchday squads this season.

Guilavogui is a regular part of the squad and is seen as a genuine option from the bench in the Championship games this season. That could change after Gruev’s return but for now, he is seen as a squad player.

The Leeds manager would be reluctant to lose him as he is aware Leeds are never away from a key player sustaining a serious injury or suspension.

While he is unlikely to get starts, Farke would prefer to keep the Frenchman around for his experience as his side chase promotion to the Premier League.

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