Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Sat 29 June 2024 10:54, UK

Leeds United’s giant midfielder Darko Gyabi has agreed a deal to return to Plymouth Argyle on a season-long loan, sources have told Football Insider.

Gyabi, 20, will this time play under the stewardship of Wayne Rooney after an encouraging stint in the second half of last term at Home Park.

Football Insider [11 January] exclusively revealed Gyabi’s first loan move to Argyle back in the winter transfer window, where he went on to make 10 Championship appearances before suffering an injury in late March.

A full agreement is now understood to be in place between both clubs and the midfielder, who has also featured in the Premier League and Championship for Leeds.

Daniel Farke and the staff at Elland Road are in the midst of a considerable squad rebuild with account figures having to be declared by tomorrow, as Gyabi departs for further senior experience.

Leeds United star Gyabi leaves on loan as squad shaped

Gyabi’s loan to Rooney’s Plymouth will take down the wage bill nominally, assisting with the Leeds United accounts, but former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson [29 June] told Football Insider there could still be major sales around the corner.

Robinson is also confident Leeds can still achieve promotion if they sell the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto to help with the finances, provided they maintain the “nucleus” of the squad.

Incomings will also be imminent, with Leeds planning to strengthen their midfield area which would deny Gyabi regular opportunities in the Championship at Elland Road this year.

Coventry City’s Callum O’Hare is classed as more of an attacking midfielder than the “box-to-box” role of Gyabi, but has been strongly linked with a move as a free agent with former teammate Alan Hutton telling Football Insider [19 June] he would make an excellent signing for Farke.

Gyabi, formerly of Manchester City before signing professionally across the Pennines at Leeds, will relish the chance to play regularly again in the Championship under the guidance of Rooney, and will aim to return to Leeds and challenge for a first-team berth.

The 6’5” England Under-20 midfielder’s current deal at the club runs until the summer of 2026.

In other news, Keith Wyness says Leeds United could lose five stars in a “brutal” raid.

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