Reported Wolves and Leeds United target Okay Yokuslu has no future at Celta Vigo after being left out of their La Liga opener, president Carlos Mourinho has told El Correo Gallego.
Leeds were left licking their wounds after missing out on Conor Gallagher to Premier League rivals Crystal Palace earlier this month – but the Chelsea starlet isn’t the only former West Brom loanee on Marcelo Bielsa’s radar.
Yokuslu isn’t exactly the barnstorming, box-to-box enforcer Leeds appear to be prioritising during the final two weeks of the transfer window.
But a player of his poise, discipline and energy would come in very handy at Elland Road, particularly when you consider Bielsa doesn’t have a like-for-like Kalvin Phillips replacement at his disposal.
As Leeds’ most important player watched on from the sidelines during Saturday’s 5-1 battering at the hands of Manchester United, Robin Koch looked every inch a centre-half being played out of position in defensive midfield, given the runaround by an outstanding Bruno Fernandes.
That’s not to say Yokuslu would have marked the Portuguese playmaker out of the game at a raucous Old Trafford but he’s certainly a more natural fit for the number six role in Bielsa’s system.
Okay Yokuslu could be Kalvin Phillips’ back-up at Leeds United
The Turkey international stood head and shoulders above teammates during a five-month loan spell at West Bromwich Albion last season.
And, according to reports, he’s now available for just £5 million having fallen out of favour at La Liga outfit Celta Vigo.
“Okay’s situation is being defined. We are not counting on him,” Celta president Mourinho said after Yokuslu was left out of the 20-man squad for yesterday’s 2-1 defeat to champions Atletico Madrid.
“The player has several offers and is waiting for the best one to decide.”
Crystal Palace have been linked, as have a Wolverhampton Wanderers side that, for all the pretty passing of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, is crying out for someone capable of shielding a less-than-convincing back line, destroying, disrupting and distributing from a deep-lying midfield role (Sky Sports).
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