Who is Josuha Guilavogui? The free agent Leeds United look set to sign | OneFootball

FLW outline the career of free agent Josuha Guilavogui, with the versatile defensive-minded player of interest to Leeds United.

Josuha Guilavogui is reportedly a player being considered by Daniel Farke and Leeds United from the free agency market.

With Ethan Ampadu out until close to January, and Ilia Gruev possibly not back with the first-team until closer to March, Leeds are in a tough predicament regarding their deeper midfield options. Not only that, but Max Wöber faces a few more weeks on the sidelines, which leaves their defensive options thin in terms of numbers.

Elland Road recruitment chiefs have been working closely with Farke on possible free agent signings for the past fortnight, having los their midfield duo to serious knee injuries. In the meantime, Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell did their best to show that there might be fewer issues than first thought without them with their seismic displays against Sheffield United, but the lack of cover is alarming.

A small group of players without a club have been assessed by Leeds, including former Nottingham Forest man Cheikhou Kouyate, although no deal materialised for the defensive midfielder. Other reports have also named the likes of Francis Coquelin and Christoph Kramer as potential targets. But a fresh name emerged following the win over the Blades, with Leeds Live reporting on interest in Guilavogui.

Following the clash on Friday, a photo circulated on X of the midfielder with a Leeds supporter, and club sources have reportedly indicated he is among the free agents being considered. It is unclear exactly where the photo was taken but interest in the veteran midfielder appears to be genuine.

Farke has admitted that a free agent would help to bring cover and depth if they can find the right player over the next few weeks. Speaking prior to Leeds' game against Sheffield United on Friday, Leeds' boss explained the latest regarding his stance on free agents, saying: "We’re having a deeper look into the free agent market.

"We have a few ideas and we’re carefully optimistic we’ll be able to bring in a good solution in the upcoming days or weeks.

"It won’t last a few more weeks, we won’t bring a player at the end of November. If we haven’t brought a player in the next two weeks, then we won’t bring a player in at all."

Josuha Guilavogui's career so far

While there has been no confirmation from the club on the matter, his attendance is a strong indication that the 34-year-old is under consideration at the very least. The latest comes via TEAMtalk, who are reporting that Farke has given the green light for the club to sign the player following his appearance at Elland Road.

He hinted that there could be developments soon, and that Leeds will make a final decision on any free agent before the end of next week during his pre-Watford press conference.

Guilavogui’s career spans 419 appearances in Ligue 1, La Liga, and the Bundesliga among others, with the majority of his career coming in Germany with Wolfsburg. There, he predominantly featured as a defensive midfielder but he has also been utilised at centre-back when required.

Guilavogui was born in Ollioules, France, to Guinean parents. His brother, Morgan Guilavogui, is also a professional player. Morgan plies his trade in Germany with FC St. Pauli on a loan from Lens. Whilst Josuha elected to play for France, his brother has been capped by Guinea.

Toulon-born Guilavogui started his journey in football with Saint-Etienne. He made 120 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, whilst also spending some time with Bordeaux in France later in his career too. He first left France in September 2013 in a big-money transfer to Spanish side Atletico Madrid, but would struggle to stake a claim in La Liga, leaving on loan to the likes of Saint-Etienne and Wolfsburg.

He made only seven appearances in his time at the club and spent two seasons on loan in Germany before eventually making the move a permanent one in July 2016, which brought more success for Guilavogui. While at Wolfsburg, Guilavogui crossed paths with Kevin De Bruyne during his breakout season, while also being in the same squad as Mateusz Klich at the time.

Whilst at Wolfsburg, he made 265 appearances, scoring 12 goals and registering six assists. He was let go by the Bundesliga side in July 2023. He was picked up that summer by German side FSV Mainz 05, for whom he went on to make only 12 appearances last season, including just six starts during that time.

Guilavogui has been handed seven caps for France, but it remains to be seen how fit and what sort of condition the defensive midfielder will be in when considering his last appearance came back in March for Mainz. However, from Leeds' point of view, they could be getting a former big-game player with 218 games of Bundesliga experience as well as 118 Ligue 1 appearances.

The 34-year-old has 39 games worth of experience in European cup competitions as well, which is perhaps the sort of big-game exposure that they require on the bench as a serviceable option at either centre-back or defensive midfield.

Interest in Josuha Guilavogui from Leeds United

Guilavogui ticks plenty of boxes for what Farke requires from a free agent arrival, with experience playing in defensive midfield and at centre-back. His versatility means he can provide much-needed cover for Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon, with the latter on four yellow cards and just one away from a suspension.

Fitness levels will be the major question mark over Guilavogui, although that is true for all options due to the likelihood they have been without a club since early summer. Farke has good starting options in midfield at the moment, too, with Japan international Tanaka and loanee Rothwell excellent in action as a new, first-choice midfield pairing for two games now.

At the moment, there’s not a single Leeds fan that would suggest changing Tanaka and Rothwell, but they can’t be expected to play every minute. The duo dominated a strong Sheffield United outfit, but behind them, the midfield options are threadbare at Elland Road. Should anything happen to either Tanaka or Rothwell, Farke would be forced to dip into the U-21 team for options.

The same is true with Rodon and Struijk as there is very little beyond Charlie Crew and James Debayo, who lack experience at such a young age, and it could be deemed as unfair to thrust them into action, as despite the statement win over Sheffield United, Leeds are not out of the woods yet regarding their squad depth.

A move for a player like Guilavogui is the most logical in the short-term, given his versatility and ability to slot into defensive midfield or centre-back. Leeds require a player who can do both comfortably, given Tanaka and Rothwell are not as defensive-minded as a player like Guilavogui as well.