Daniel Farke has intimated that Leeds could be ready to enter the free-agent market, with two players being touted as potential targets, and one respected analyst offering a troubling update on Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev’s injuries.
The Whites have started the season well as they attempt to recover from last season’s promotion near miss, having lost only once in their eight matches to sit fifth in the embryonic Championship table. Leeds, on the other hand, might move into first place on Friday night if they win at Sunderland’s home ground.
While winning at the Stadium of Light will be difficult – the Black Cats have won four of their last four home games and have yet to concede a goal – Leeds will travel with confidence after some recent strong performances.
However, their promotion hopes have been hampered by two major injuries to their first-choice midfielders, Ampadu and Gruev, both of whom could face lengthy absences.
As a result, Leeds has been forced to turn to the free transfer market, and the Yorkshire Post has identified two unattached midfielders as potential targets: Cheikhou Kouyate, a former West Ham and Nottingham Forest player, and Christoph Kramer, most recently of Borussia Monchengladbach.
Another prospective candidate, Jack Cork, has left the market after re-signing with Burnley as a player-academy coach.
When asked about the potential of entering the free-agency market, Farke insisted that Leeds would not be compelled to make a panic signing.
“It is professional of us to check who is available and what we could do, but to be honest, I am not a big fan of signing people out of contract when you get to October,” Farke said during a news conference.
“They’ve been out of training for months, so it may take them some time to catch up, and an injured player may return before the new signing is ready.
“It might be a panic sign. It is professional to check to see if there is someone who meets your requirements, but I am not a great fan of it. But let us see. First, we must wait and hope for the outcome of Ilia Gruev. However, it can occasionally be detrimental to the entire group. It can send a message to other players that we do not trust them.
Farke sweating on Gruev update as Sky Sports pundit makes worrying claim
Leeds will first wait to see how long Gruev will be out, but having been a regular in their engine room since the turn of the year, any time away would be a crushing loss.
Leeds have summer acquisitions Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell as options, although both are significantly more attack-minded and do not provide the same defensive cover as Gruev or Ampadu.
“We will first wait and watch on Ilia,” Farke said, adding, “I trust my entire team.
“It is critical that we trust and support the players. We are in a competitive environment, and everyone is sharp and ready to go.
Former Senegal international Kouyate recently played in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest, where he made 36 appearances before being released in the summer. Now 34, he has extensive experience, having previously played for West Ham and Crystal Palace.
Kramer, meanwhile, is a familiar face to Farke, having played for him at Borussia Monchengladbach. The 12-times capped former Germany international is currently 33.
In any case, EFL expert Jobi McAnuff told the BBC 72+ podcast that injuries to Ampadu and Gruev might be extremely troublesome for Leeds.
“Yes, for sure, especially in the midfield region, which is clearly his favored position and where he has returned this season. Gruev was also sent off early in the game, which will be a major problem for Leeds United.
“Obviously, they lost [Glen] Kamara and Archie Gray in the summer; it is probably the one area where you look at that group and think that if they add one or two more, as they are now, they will be extremely strained. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out in the coming weeks.
The 16-year-old has received high praise for their U18s team and is expected to become a great star in the future. Leeds scouts have been dispatched to monitor his progress after making his senior debut in an EFL Trophy match, but two Championship opponents have also emerged as competitors.
Meanwhile, there is ongoing controversy about Junior Firpo’s future.
The Dominican Republic international has been one of Leeds’ most consistent performances this year and is a key member of Farke’s squad, appearing as one of the first names on the teamsheet.
However, his contract expires at the conclusion of the season, and TEAMtalk reported that, while the player is willing to sign an extension, a decision on his future has been put on hold.
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