Former Leeds United midfielder Josuha Guilavogui has emerged as a shock transfer target for French giants Marseille. That is according to SportsBoom, who reported the Ligue 1 club are exploring the possibility of signing the 34-year-old on a free transfer following the closure of the summer transfer window.
Guilavogui left the Whites in the summer following the expiry of his short-term contract. The French international played 16 times for United, helping them win the Championship title.
But Whites boss Daniel Farke decided Guilavgoui was surplus to requirements ahead of their top-flight return. Guilavgoui is still searching for a new club after his Elland Road exit.
“I didn't come to be the player who played the most, but the player who would help the most,” admitted Guilavogui after his exit.
“I remember one sentence from our boss. He said, Josh, sometimes the most important players are not on the pitch or are not the ones who are playing every game."
“Every game, it's the ones who are helping all the young players who are very important in the locker room. And I think that at the end, when I got this nickname, Uncle Josh, it's because I was there for everyone, always trying to give my best at training when I was coming in.”
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Marseille chief Roberto De Zerbi, the former Brighton boss, is believed to be a big admirer of Guilavgoui. SportsBoom claim Guilavgoui would also be open to a move to the Championship.
Ollioules-born Guilavogui began his career with Saint-Etienne before being snapped up by German club Vfl Wolfsburg. After a successful two-year loan spell with the Bundesliga outfit, Guilavogui enjoyed a further seven seasons with club, playing over 200 times for the club before a move back to France.
Farke signed Guilavogui last October to strengthen their midfield options following injuries in quick succession to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. His only starts for the club came in their FA Cup ties with Harrogate Town and Millwall.
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