Graham Smyth on how Leeds United managed to sign Josuha Guilavogui on free transfer — YEP 25/20/24
By Harry Mail
Leeds United have snapped up the player on a free transfer
this week
Recent Leeds United signing Josuha Guilavogui was one of
their first choice free agent options, according to YEP reporter Graham Smyth.
The Whites looked at a few potential targets including former West Ham, Crystal
Palace and Nottingham Forest man Cheikhou Kouyate.
Daniel Farke needed to bring in someone new to provide cover
for the injured Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. They swooped to sign Guilavogui
earlier this week.
Smyth has revealed how Leeds’ latest transfer came around
and said on the Inside Elland Road Podcast: “It would be really interesting to
know all the ins and outs of the situation and who else visited Thorp Arch. I
don’t believe there was a succession of trialists. I don’t believe that there
were the medical goings on that were being reported here, there and everywhere
and I certainly don’t think that was this conveyer belt of free agents coming
in a couple of days at a time for a trial.
“I imagine that they have been looking at him (Guilavogui)
since the start, they definitely looked at (Cheikhou) Kouyate. (Francis)
Couqelin was another name that was mentioned but he was never invited to Thorp
Arch. Even right back at the start of October when this started to become a
possibility, if someone had said at that point that they could get him
(Guilavogui) I think Leeds would have been very keen, I don’t think this is a
second or third choice. You kind of get the feeling that he was a very serious
option and they do feel like they have done well to get him.”
Guilavogui, who is 34-years-old, will give Leeds more
competition and depth in the middle of the park. He will also inject experience
into their ranks.
After making the switch to Elland Road, he said: “I have
never played in England and I think as a football player this is a really
amazing experience and for playing for Leeds, a historic club, this is a
wonderful opportunity for me. I am looking forward to training with the team,
to help the team on the pitch, outside the pitch as well and hopefully that we
set our goals.
“I had some offers, but nothing that I would say, okay,
let’s do it. And when my agent called me and said that Daniel has interest to
sign me and watched over me, I said, yeah, let’s go straight, straight to
Leeds. Sometimes in life you have some opportunities and you don’t want to miss
it. I am really happy to be here.”
Guilavogui rose up through the academy ranks at AS
Saint-Étienne and broke into their first-team as a youngster. Diego Simeone
lured him to Atletico Madrid in 2013 and he spent three years on the books of
the La Liga giants. He was loaned out a couple of times during his days in
Spain though and ended up finding a permanent home for himself at Wolfsburg.
The France-born man went on to play 181 games for the Bundesliga outfit
altogether, chipping in with eight goals.
Guilavogui was snapped up by Mainz 05 last year and played
for them last term in the German top flight. He became available this past
summer though and has since been weighing up his options before putting
pen-to-paper with Leeds.
Explaining their process, Leeds boss Daniel Farke said ahead
of their clash with Bristol City: “It was pretty complicated situation.
Actually it was not our plan to sign a player in October. When there is
something happen like this, two main players are out for several months, within
a few days, you have to be a bit creative. We have our scouts who are prepared
for such a scenario, doing a really good job. But you also have to use your
network or of experienced key people. The first thing was to speak about
profile of the player we wanted to bring in, it was obvious the type of player
we needed.
“We spoke about which type of character and what he would
need to accept in his role, once our club captain comes back. It could also be
he’s not in the spotlight anymore. We didn’t want a player who was greedy to
play every minute, to understand his role as a mentor. He should still be
greedy to show every day that he wants to play, not like an assistant coach,
but out of this we had a few candidates. Then it was to check their physical
conditions, speak to them, someone who is affordable and not just here because
of the money. And to speak to him about his role. To do lots of research with
his former teammates and managers. In one or two conversations, everyone is
really nice. For that, we checked a few candidates and options and right now we
had the decision of Josh and he wanted to come as well. That was the process.”