(Credit: Imago)

Jonathan Burnett

Wed 23 April 2025 10:26, UK

Josuha Guilavogui’s influence on the Leeds United squad has been made clear in their Premier League promotion celebrations.

Leeds booked their place back in the promised land after two years away on Monday, thumping Stoke City 6-0 before automatic promotion was rubber-stamped by Burnley’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United.

Daniel Farke’s side are yet to wrap up the Championship title and sit level with Burnley on 94 points at the summit, but have two games left to secure two more wins with a 100-point haul a real possibility.

Farke and 49ers Enterprises’ attention will soon turn to the summer transfer market as they look to provide Leeds with a Premier League-ready squad, with decisions to be made on several fringe players.

Leeds told to keep Guilavogui after promotion message

Leeds signed Guilavogui in October as a free agent to cover injuries picked up by Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, and Paul Robinson told Football Insider that his on-field impact would be minimal at Elland Road.

Indeed, Guilavogui hasn’t featured in any significant capacity on the pitch this season, with 15 substitute appearances in the Championship and starts in Leeds’ two FA Cup games against Harrogate and Millwall.

However, the 34-year-old quickly emerged as a ‘father figure’ for the squad behind the scenes, and is the oldest outfielder in Farke’s first-team as his one-year contract heads towards expiry this summer.

Guilavogui posted on Instagram (22 April) after Leeds’ promotion was confirmed by Burnley’s win, and sent a message to everyone involved with the club, saying: “We are Premier League – this team. These players. This club. One of a kind. Marching On Together, always.”

Both Wilfried Gnonto and Joel Piroe – who scored five of United’s six goals against Stoke between them – left comments on the Frenchman post and stated their wishes for Leeds to keep hold of Guilavogui.

Gnonto simply said; “one more season”, while Piroe commented below to add: “Two, he is young.”

Leeds must aim high in summer transfer window

For all that Guilavogui, Sam Byram and Junior Firpo have done their part to contribute in Leeds’ climb back to the Premier League, it’s unlikely the out-of-contract trio will extend their stays at Elland Road.

Farke is in need of undoubted Premier League quality to have any chance of survival next term, as Football Insider revealed on 11 April that Leeds only see six members of their squad as top-flight ready.

Decisions need to be made on the likes of Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon, one of those six Premier League-proven players, while a new goalkeeper in the form of Aaron Ramsdale could also be sought.

Guilavogui’s bit-part role in the squad has paid dividends this season, but it remains to be seen if the veteran midfielder will be given a reduced role as part of Leeds’ Premier League squad next term.