EXCLUSIVE: Cheikhou Kouyate fails Leeds medical as Whites pull plug on deal

Leeds United have pulled the plug on a potential deal to sign Cheikhou Kouyate after he failed his medical at the club, sources have told Football Insider.

The 34-year-old free agent underwent medical tests at United on Tuesday but did not get the all-clear from the club’s staff. Football Insider revealed early on Tuesday (15 October) that Kouyate heading to Leeds for a medical that day after agreeing to join on a free transfer.

Daniel Farke wanted to sign the former Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace defensive midfielder to provide some reinforcements due to the injuries his team have sustained. Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev have suffered knee injuries that are expected to keep them out of action until the new year, leaving Leeds short of options in midfield.

Kouyate is currently a free agent after Forest allowed him to leave at the end of his contract last summer to cut down their wage bill.

Now that the potential deal to sign Kouyate is over, the Yorkshire giants will be forced to dip back into the free-agent market to assess any other potential options. Farke wants to bolster his squad before the January transfer window opens to ensure they remain competitive in the league up until that point.

Former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that the club could recall Dark Gyabi from his loan at Plymouth Argyle to help calm the injury crisis.

Leeds will be back in action on Friday (18 October) in a highly anticipated derby against Sheffield United.

Both teams are pushing for promotion to the Premier League this season and currently sit in the top five.