"Daniel Farke knows" - Sky Sports pundit predicts reason behind Leeds United’s Josuha Guilavogui signing | OneFootball

The Whites may have signed Guilavogui because of Daniel Farke's knowledge of him and the German market, according to one pundit.

Sky Sports pundit Dan Bardell believes Leeds United may have moved to sign Josuha Guilavogui because Daniel Farke knows him from his time in Germany.

Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Bardell also believes this move isn't a panic signing, considering they desperately needed to address their midfielder.

Ao Tanaka may be impressing and Joe Rothwell has promotion experience under his belt, but depth is a real issue at Elland Road at this point.

Ethan Ampadu looks set to be out of action until the new year and that's a big blow for the Whites, considering how important he has been for them since he arrived during the summer of 2023.

Ilia Gruev, who joined during the same window, has also been an influential figure under Daniel Farke.

Making a number of contributions, it's a real shame that he looks set to be out of action for quite some time, with that injury blow coming after Ampadu's.

With the Bulgarian and Ampadu both out injured, that has left the Whites with very few midfield options, with Marc Roca, Lewis Bate, Archie Gray and Glen Kamara all leaving the West Yorkshire side during the summer.

Tanaka may have come in as a replacement for Kamara, but even with the former and Rothwell coming in, the signing of Guilavogui is much needed.

Leeds were limited in terms of the players they could target, with the Whites consigned to using the free agent market until the January transfer window.

A number of midfielders were linked with a move to Elland Road, including Cheikhou Kouyate, but Guilavogui was the man signed in the end.

Dan Bardell on why Leeds United may have signed Josuha Guilavogui

Bardell thinks Farke may have played a huge role in signing Guilavogui, with the former already knowing the latter from their time in Germany.

The journalist said: "They wanted something in the midfield area, that is clear.

"He’s a player, from looking at his history in Germany, that Daniel Farke knows or has been aware of which is a good thing because it means he has the manager’s approval.

"Leeds needed to do something in the midfield so I don’t think it can be accused of being a panic signing, they’re were just in a difficult situation."

The midfielder previously played for VfL Wolfsburg and Mainz 05, leaving the latter at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. Farke managed a number of German teams, including Borussia Monchengladbach.

Daniel Farke could benefit from Josuha Guilavogui's experience

Tanaka put in an excellent performance against Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth loan man Rothwell was also an important figure against the Blades.

With this in mind, as well as his potential lack of fitness, Guilavogui may not start straight away.

But his experience, both on and off the pitch, could be extremely important and Farke will definitely know all about him from their time in Germany.

It will be interesting to see how much the 34-year-old can contribute to the Whites' cause.

Clearly, he won't be an addition for the long term, but he good be a good short to medium-term addition and is a needed figure at this point, considering the Whites' injury issues.