Portsmouth rivals set to sign ace with 291 Prem appearances as England Under-21 star pays George Baldock tribute

Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds United are edging closer to the signing of former Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest midfielder Cheikhou Kouyaté on a short-term deal.

The Whites see the 92-time Senegalese international as the ideal player to help navigate them through a tricky injury crisis after losing first-choice pairing Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev to injury, according to the Yorkshire Post.

Kouyate has spent the last decade of his career in the Premier League and has racked up 291 appearances in England’s top-flight, scoring 15 goals and providing 12 assists.

He was released by Nottingham Forest at the end of last season after managing just 12 appearances last term and is expected to be offered a contract until the end of the season.

Journalist Ben Jacobs understands a deal is close but claims negotiations between the two parties are not yet finalised. He adds that reports that the Senegalese midfielder has already had a medical with Daniel Farke’s side are also false at this moment in time.

Jacobs wrote on X: “Leeds are exploring a deal to sign Cheikhou Kouyaté on a free transfer.

“Not a done deal as of tonight despite reports of a medical exam.

“Parties have discussed a short-term contract until the end of the season.

England under-21 star pays emotional tribute to George Baldock

Manchester City youngster James McAtee paid tribute to his former Sheffield United team-mate George Baldock after scoring for England Under-21s against Ukraine.

Baldock was found dead in the swimming pool of his property in Glyfada, southern Athens on Wednesday evening.

McAtee played with the 31-year-old for two seasons whilst on loan from Manchester City and built up a close bond with the English-born Greek international.

After scoring the first of two goals in a 2-1 victory for England, McAtee lifted his shirt to reveal a message which read: “GB 2 rest easy brother.”

GB refers to George Baldock’s initials while two referenced his squad number for the Blades.

After the game, he also shared a post on Instagram which reads: “The boy has looked after me tonight. Two special goals for a special person, I know he would have loved that, all for him and his family and our family back in Sheffield.”