Leeds United: Fresh reports surfacing concerning Cheikhou Kouyate deal | OneFootball

A new update has emerge in the Leeds United, Cheikhou Kouyate saga.

Key Takeaways

Leeds United's deal for free agent Cheikhou Kouyate is in the balance despite reports that he was close to signing for the Whites.

That's according to the BBC's Adam Pope, who has reported the former West Ham United midfielder has been at the club's Thorp Arch training base for several days.

Kouyate deal not close, despite reports suggesting otherwise

There have been reports over the last couple of days suggesting the Senegalese midfielder's move to Yorkshire was as good as agreed. Reports since then suggest these comments were wide of the mark.

The 34-year-old is reportedly just one of a number of free agents on Farke's list. However, the Leeds boss is pondering whether the former Premier League midfielder will be the answer to his problems, having not played consistently for the last few seasons.

He played just 208 minutes of Premier League action for Nottingham Forest last season, which will have had a detrimental impact on his fitness. Farke needs someone who is able to come in and contribute straight away, without consistent minutes or a pre-season behind him, Kouyate may not be the right option.

But, as per Pope, the move is still very much in the balance. Kouyate has been at the club's training base for several days, as talks continue about a potential deal being made.

Misinformation about a medical taking place was spread on Friday, as Leeds fans expected the man with nearly 300 Premier League appearances to be confirmed as a new signing. But, further reports suggest that the club are yet to make a decision on the free agent, with talks not at an advanced stage.

Daniel Farke "not a big friend" of free agent signings

Leeds allowed Glen Kamara to depart the club in the summer, not foreseeing the potential issues this could cause. Now, with two injuries, the Lilywhites remain without a senior defensive midfielder at the club.

Farke's only option is to dip into the free agent market, to secure someone without a club as a short-term replacement for the injured Ampadu and Gruev. However, the German admitted he's never been a fan of signing unattached players in a recent interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Farke stated: "If I'm really honest, I'm not a big friend of signing players who are out of contract in the beginning of October, because it means more or less they are out of team training since May. That means they are out of team training since whatever, five months.

“And even if you bring them in, it also lasts a while until they are really ready to go and fully fit and really could play first team football and then quite often injured right now for the next few weeks, he's even back in perhaps and ready to go earlier than the players who are out since five months."

Despite these comments, it looks like the ex-Norwich City manager's hand might be forced, as he currently has no senior options available to play in that holding midfield position.

Kouyate deal is in the balance

The latest update will be one that Leeds fans didn't want to hear, as the deal to sign the former West Ham star "remains in balance." This is the case especially after the report that the deal was agreed on Friday.

As reported by Ben Jacobs on Friday evening, the Lilywhites are yet to make their final decision on whether they wish to proceed with the signing of Kouyate.

Today's update has provided reassurance that talks have been very much ongoing, as Farke remains active in his search for a new midfielder over the international break. The ball is very much on Leeds' side of the court though, as reports suggest the fitness concern is the only thing currently keeping the deal on ice.

With plenty of contrary reports over the last few days, the signing of Kouyate is one that is being worked on, but is a lot further from being completed than what it was made out to be.