Leeds United’s midfield is in an injury crisis following the injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. As a result, one report reveals that they could recall a player on loan to help with the depth.
This week, Graham Smyth from the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that Leeds are considering Cheikhou Kouyaté to strengthen their midfield depth.
Kouyaté has been a free agent since the summer after Nottingham Forest let him go following a two-year spell in which he made 36 appearances. Last season, the Senegal international, who has 92 caps, started just two games and came off the bench 10 times, logging 208 minutes as Forest secured their Premier League status.
With 291 Premier League appearances across his time at West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Forest, the 34-year-old would bring valuable experience to the Leeds group. He’s also won four league titles in Belgium and the African Cup of Nations with Senegal.
The two sides have discussed a short-term contract that would run until the end of the season, and Leeds are expected to make a final decision soon.
Leeds are likely to consider his fitness before making a decision. Kouyaté hasn’t played over 1,000 minutes of league football since the 2021-22 season.
Recalling a player from a loan stint?
While Leeds ponders whether to sign a free agent, the Whites could soon decide to make another move to improve their midfield depth. Football Insider reports that the Yorkshire side could recall Dark Gyabi from his loan spell with Plymouth Argyle due to their midfield injury crisis.
The report suggests that Gyabi is still being considered as a replacement for the injured Ampadu and Gruev. The 20-year-old, who joined Argyle on loan this summer, has quickly become a key player in Wayne Rooney’s preferred starting lineup.
So far this season, he’s made 11 appearances in all competitions, starting in eight of their nine Championship matches since arriving from Elland Road. This has pushed the club to explore their midfield options, with Gyabi’s impressive form on loan making him a potential first-team candidate at Leeds.
