Multiple reports have connected former Nottingham Forest veteran Cheikhou Kouyaté to a potential move, but there’s still uncertainty about whether the deal will go through.
Football Insider reported on Wednesday that Leeds have called off their plans to sign Kouyaté after he failed his medical. The outlet also mentioned that the club is set to trial an unnamed German player this week.
With the Kouyaté deal off the table, Leeds will need to explore other options in the free-agent market if that’s the route they are still planning on taking.
Could the signing of Cheikhou Kouyaté still happen?
Amid the chaotic information regarding Leeds’ interest in Kouyaté, even more reporting now reveals that a signing isn’t totally off. The Yorkshire Post’s Graham Smyth has shared that Leeds could still sign the veteran as a temporary fix to their injury crisis.
“It’s funny you know, it’s turned into a bit of the Wild West all this discussion of Leeds and a free agent,” Smyth said on the Inside Elland Road Podcast.
“This is a player who might barely play any football at all, but as you were hinting at, how many medicals has he reportedly failed or passed, and how many deals have been done and fallen apart?
“The situation is still that Kouyaté remains one of the very small number that they have looked at and are looking at and considering.”
Kouyaté became a free agent this summer after leaving Nottingham Forest, where he spent two years and made 36 appearances. Last season, the 92-cap Senegal international had a limited role, starting just two games and making 10 substitute appearances, playing a total of 208 minutes as Forest secured their Premier League survival.
The 34-year-old brings a wealth of experience from 291 Premier League appearances with West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest. He’s also had success overseas, winning four league titles in Belgium and claiming the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
It will be interesting to see if a deal does get down or if this file is finally closed and Leeds will hold down the fort until the January window opens in a few months.
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