Leeds United’s move for Cheikhou Kouyate has collapsed due to an issue arising from his medical, talkSPORT understands.
Kouyate, who has played just six minutes of football since Boxing Day 2023, underwent a medical at the Championship club last Friday but it became apparent that there were concerns with his fitness.
GettyCheikhou Kouyate’s move to Leeds has collapsed despite undergoing a medical at the club last Friday[/caption]
Tests showed that the free agent would not be fit to play for several weeks resulting in club chiefs pulling the plug on a short-term deal for the former Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace midfielder.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke was keen to bolster his options having lost both first-choice midfielders Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev to recent knee injuries.
Farke is keen to avoid derailing his side’s efficient start to the season with the Whites sitting in fifth place in the Championship, three points adrift of leaders Sunderland.
Leeds have lost just one of their opening nine league games and go into Friday night’s mouthwater clash with second-placed Sheffield United full of confidence after their 2-2 draw as Sunderland last time out.
Farke will be forced to field a patched up midfield for Friday’s clash at Elland Road with Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka set to deputise.
But that is unlikely to prevent Farke from continuing to search the free market for additions to his squad as the case with Kouyate.
The Senegal international has been without a club since leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of last season.
The 34-year-old has made 291 Premier League appearances after being handed his first taste of English football with West Ham in 2014.
But Leeds will have to look elsewhere for fresh faces and according to the Mirror, Steaua Bucharest defender Joyskim Dawa is on the club’s radar.
Leeds will have to wait until the January window if they are to secure the 28-year-old’s signature.
Kouyate was introduced to English football in 2014 with West Ham and went on to make 147 appearances for the club
GettyDaniel Farke is in the midst of an injury crisis having lost his first-choice centre midfield partnership[/caption]
Capped nine times by Cameroon, Dawa has a £4 million exit clause but Leeds could find stiff competition from multiple clubs.