Former Arsenal and Valencia star is in line after Daniel Farke confirmed the trialist’s plans

Leeds United have former Arsenal, Valencia and Villarreal midfielder Francis Coquelin on trial and are considering offering the Frenchman a contract, sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk.

Leeds United are looking to strengthen their midfield following the injuries of key duo Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. Captain Ampadu will be out until January after suffering knee ligament damage in the 3-0 win over Coventry City on September 30, while Gruev suffered a ‘significant injury’ to the meniscus in his right knee as Leeds drew 1-1 against Norwich City. October 4.

Earlier this month, Leeds were linked with both Cheikhou Kouyate and Jack Cork as possible short-term solutions to their midfield selection headaches.

But Cork then returned to Burnley to take on the role of player-coach, while ex-West Ham United and Crystal Palace player Kouyate enjoyed a successful trial period but subsequently failed medical treatment.

This has forced Daniel Farke and Leeds to look for alternative targets. TEAMtalk can now confirm reports that free agent Coquelin is training with the Witten and would like to participate.

Although Coquelin is just one of many test subjects in Leeds, and he is waiting to see if Farke gives the move the green light. The manager tries to see which subject adapts best.

Ahead of Leeds’ huge clash against promotion rivals Sheffield United on Friday evening, Farke was asked about the club’s pursuit of midfielders.

He said: “I was talking about signing a free agent. As you know, I will never confirm names. I will not speak about players who are not under contract with Leeds.

“I can speak in general, and it is a special and new situation. We are short on numbers, we had a small group anyway, but due to the injuries of Ampadu, Gruev and Wober we decided to look deeper into the free agent market.

‘There have been some guests at Thorp Arch over the last few days. But it is important not to talk about names, but about the profile, we are thin in midfield.”

Francis Coquelin an experienced option

Coquelin’s impending takeover by Leeds would certainly attract attention given his links with Arsenal.

The former France U21 international joined Arsenal’s U18 squad in July 2008 and went on to make 160 first-team appearances for the Gunners, while also having loan spells at Lorient, Freiburg and Charlton Athletic.

Coquelin was part of an Arsenal team that won two FA Cups and two Community Shields before leaving for Valencia in January 2018.

The 33-year-old picked up a winners’ medal in the Copa del Rey with Valencia before joining rivals Villarreal in August 2020.

Coquelin made 107 appearances for Villarreal and helped them win the Europa League in May 2021, beating Manchester United in the final.

However, Coquelin gradually played fewer and fewer games for Villarreal as the seasons progressed, both due to injuries and competition for places.

He is still without a club since leaving the La Liga club at the end of last season, but that could soon change if Coquelin does enough to impress Farke in training.

Farke responds to Jurgen Klopp’s speculation

Meanwhile, Farke has also been asked about the role Liverpool icon Jurgen Klopp could play at Elland Road in the future.

Klopp will become the new global head of Red Bull’s football division in January, while the Austria-based company bought a minority stake in Leeds in May.

Incredibly, it has been suggested that Klopp could one day become manager of Leeds, but Farke has played down the influence his compatriot may have at the club.

“Not directly, because he has been announced by Red Bull,” Farke told a press conference when asked about Klopp. “There are obviously a few Red Bull teams like in Leipzig, Salzburg, New York and so on. We are Leeds United and therefore it is clear that he has a big impact on the Red Bull clubs and for us not so much.

“We are Leeds United and I don’t think any of our supporters would allow us to copy anything or follow a similar philosophy. We are quite a unique club and we also have our own values, principles, philosophy, our own way in which we want to play.

“As far as I know, this is exactly what the 49ers stand for. They know how special this club is and they don’t want to copy anyone else and that’s why we will always be Leeds United.”