The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 17th October) Unnamed German undergoing Thorp Arch trial
Good Morning. It's Thursday 17th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Unnamed German undergoing Thorp Arch trial
Leeds have switched their attention to an unnamed German midfielder following Cheikhou Kouyate's failed medical. Long term injuries to Ilea Gruev, Max Wober and Ethan Ampadu have forced Daniel Farke to rethink his strategy and invest in players deemed inadequate by everyone else? They conducting full medical tests on a player who has only played six minutes of game time in 2024- how desperate must Daniel Farke be?
Although the identity of the trialist is unknown, its unlikely to be Christoph Kramer, who spent time with Farke during his tenure at Borussia Mönchengladbach. The former German International has not played since May and is enjoying punditry work on German TV. It has also been suggested that persistent injuries would make it unlikely he would pass a medical!
Real Betis preparing to swoop for Firpo in January
Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo are suggesting that Real Betis may not wait until next Summer to snap up Junior Firpo. The 28 year old is enjoying somewhat or a resurgence at Elland Road, and is currently one of their most in-form players. His attacking play down the left flank and eye for goal (both on the domestic and International stage) have caught the attention of his former club.
They showed interest in the Dominican Republic star during the Summer, but having already committed daylight robbery with Marc Roca and Diego Llorente (due to unbelievable gross negligence on Leeds Utd's behalf) decided not to chance their arm. Junior Firpo is contracted to the Whites until next Summer, but if Betis get their way, which in Leeds Utd's case they normally do, Daniel Farke may be forced to look for a new left-back in the New Year.
Former Arsenal star linked with Leeds
Former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin is the latest in a long line of free agents being linked with a trial at Thorp Arch this week. The French defensive midfielder, 33, has been unemployed since Spanish club Villarreal released him in June. During his 16 year career, he played almost 300 first team games for the likes of Arsenal, Valencia and Villareal. It has been suggested in the Sun that Coquelin would be keen on a move to Elland Road but having not played competitively since the Summer, how long would it take for him to regain his fitness levels. Would it be better waiting until January.