Sako is a free agent after his contract at Crystal Palace expired this summer.
Leeds United’s squad is already running scarily thin in August. Injuries to the likes of Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson left Marcelo Bielsa with no choice but to partner full-backs Luke Ayling and Gaetano Berardi at centre-back against Swansea.
Despite performing admirably, it is a clear sign that offloading 15 first-team players and only bringing five new ones to Elland Road is a sign that depth is key to a promotion-winning campaign.
It is not just at centre-back that Bielsa will have his concerns. On the flanks, Stuart Dallas’ injury has seen Bielsa with only Gjanni Alioski, Pablo Hernandez and Jack Harrison to choose from.
Alioski was hooked at half-time during the 2-2 draw against Swansea, while Harrison has only been given substitute appearances and is yet to make his mark in the league. A new, experienced winger should be on Bielsa’s to-do list.
The Argentine manager can solve that issue and give Leeds a huge helping hand in their bid for promotion with the free agent signing of former Crystal Palace and Wolves star Bakary Sako.
The 30-year-old left Palace in the summer after the two parties decided not to renew his terms at Selhurst Park, and he is on the lookout for a new home.
Bielsa does not have to look far past his stats in England’s second division to be swayed into signing Sako. The nine-time Mali international has scored 24 goals and created another 21 strikes in just 78 Championship outings.
Almost a goal in every three games, that is a much more accomplished record than Alioski, who has managed only eight strikes in 45. On a free, Sako is a must-buy for the Whites in their early bid for promotion.
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