Leeds United have been linked with a surprising move to part ways with utilityman Joshua Guilavogui just months after bringing the midfielder in on a free transfer.

The former Atletico Madrid player is a key voice in the Elland Road dressing room according to manager Daniel Farke, despite his limited minutes on the pitch this season. Speaking after a last-gasp win over Swansea, in November, Farke said: “Guilavogui was there before the game before the speech to make sure everyone is on it and needs to win away games.

"Important. He hasn’t started much, but he took that responsibility to inspire the lads. Says a lot about the character of this team.”

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But the 34-year-old has been linked with a return to his native France, if the latest reports are to be believed.. Ligue 2's Paris FC are hoping to sign Guilavogui, according to French news outlet Jeunes Footeux. Like United, the Parisian side are under the Red Bull footballing banner which could make a deal easier to make as Paris FC hope to reach France's top-flight this season.

The club are currently 2nd in Ligue 2, separated from league-leaders Lorient just by goal difference. Guilavogui has played just nine games in the Championship this season - mainly coming in as cover at defensive midfield and centre-back.

His one-year deal expires in the summer and it is unlikely, due to his lack of minutes so far, that Farke will consider him in any potential squad planning for the 2025/26 season as the Whites target Premier League promotion.

He joined in October in the midst of an injury crisis in the middle of the park for the club. Defensive midfield options Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev have since made their returns, easing concerns in that area, but a potential long-term injury to Pascal Struijk could change things.

With Joe Rodon, Struijk and Max Weber as the club's only listed out-and-out first-team centre-backs, as well as Ampadu who can also provide further cover, Farke is likely to be hesitant to let Guilavogui depart in January as the Whites continue their promotion push.

There is still a lot of football to play - more than 20 league games, in fact, not counting any potential play-off ties an it's unlikely Farke will want to lose further players, so we'd consider this one unlikely.