Leeds United have reportedly identified a former Arsenal midfielder as their next transfer target.
The Yorkshire giants have enjoyed a relatively strong start to the campaign, accumulating 16 points from their opening nine matches in the Championship.
However, Daniel Farke has recently suffered a double blow in central midfield with each of Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev being ruled out in the long term.
Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell are left as their only experienced options in the engine room, leading to Farke to perform a U-turn with regards to trying to acquire a free agent.
Although the German has previously revealed his concerns over trying to get a new player up to speed, Leeds recently pushed to try to sign former Nottingham Forest midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate.
Nevertheless, with the Senegal international failing a medical, Farke has been left to assess potential alternatives ahead of the remaining two-and-a-half months of games before the January window.
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Farke switches attention to Coquelin
According to The Sun, Leeds have taken an interest in signing Francis Coquelin on a short-term deal.
The 33-year-old is available having not found a club since his release from Villarreal during the summer.
Coquelin allegedly still faces competition from other free agent, yet it is suggested that he is open to signing a contract with Leeds.
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How has Coquelin fared after Arsenal?
As a two-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal, Coquelin is certainly no stranger to life in England, making a total of 160 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions.
The last six-and-a-half years have been spent in Spain with Valencia and Villarreal, the veteran continuing to earn game time at a high level.
From 2020 onwards, a total of six goals have been scored in 107 appearances for the latter, Coquelin proving to be a valuable squad member for the Yellow Submarine.
He is now at a stage of his career where he needs to secure game time with a new club, rather than remaining on the market and risking further time out of the sport.
Darren Plant
