Daniel Farke‘s squad is desperately short of first team options in the middle of the park after losing both Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev in quick succession.
Ampadu is expected to be out until the festive period at least, while Gruev has undergone surgery on a knee injury and will be on the sidelines for several months.
Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka are now Leeds‘ only senior midfield options and though they performed well at both Norwich City and Sunderland, it is going to be difficult for them to start every single game until Ampadu returns.
Farke did seem more open to the idea of a free agent coming in after discovering the extent of Gruev’s lay-off, having initially suggested it was something he didn’t believe in.
Leeds considering move for Cheikhou Kouyate
Though Tanaka has been the one filling in as a number four, both he and Rothwell prefer playing in that advanced eight role.
As such, Leeds now do not have a recognised holding midfielder and so according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, they have been considering a number of options.
One of those include former West Ham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest star Cheikhou Kouyate, who has been without a club since his release from the latter.
