Leeds United hope to confirm free agent deal after Elland Road sighting as Farke gets his wish — YEP 23/10/24
By Graham Smyth
Leeds United are closing in on a confirmed deal for
experienced free agent midfielder Josuha Guilavogui.
The 34-year-old has spent time at Thorp Arch in the past
week while a deal was being explored and was twice pictured with supporters
ahead of Elland Road games. Guilavogui ticks important boxes for manager Daniel
Farke, who wanted to add an experienced operator who could cover not only
defensive midfield but centre-back due to the current injury situation.
Guilavogui has racked up 274 senior appearances in a
deep-lying role, 59 as a number 8 and a further 42 as a central defender in
spells with Wolfsburg, Saint-Etienne, Mainz, Bordeaux and Atletico Madrid.
Last season he played 11 times in the Bungesliga for Mainz
and brings with him the experience of winning three domestic cup titles in
Germany and France.
Leeds were sent into the free agent market by the loss to
knee injuries of both Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. The defensive midfielders
broke down with their respective injuries in the space of a few days and though
Ampadu is expected back in January, Gruev will be out for months rather than
weeks after meniscus surgery. At the same time, Max Wober has had minor knee
surgery and could be back involved prior to the November international break.
In the absence of Ampadu and Gruev, Farke has been left with
two natural number 8s in midfield, in Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka. Rothwell was
Man of the Match against Sheffield United and Tanaka followed suit against
Watford, but an injury to either man would see untested teenager Charlie Crew
thrown in at the deep end.