90min

Michaël Cuisance to Undergo Leeds Medical Ahead of £18m Move From Bayern

By James Cormack

Michael Cuisance is keen to earn first-team minutes in 2020/21
Michael Cuisance is keen to earn first-team minutes in 2020/21 / DeFodi Images/Getty Images
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Leeds United have agreed an £18m deal with Bayern Munich for talented French midfielder Michaël Cuisance.

The 21-year-old joined the German giants from Borussia Monchengladbach for £9m last summer, but has found it difficult to break into a midfield that is laden with world class talent.

As a result, he is keen to move on from Bavaria and seek the regular first team opportunities that Hansi Flick is unable to afford him. Cuisance appeared just nine times for the treble winners last term and enjoyed a mere 17 minutes of action in Bayern's opening two Bundesliga games this time around.

The Frenchman would've been hoping for more opportunities at Bayern this term following the departure of Thiago to Liverpool
The Frenchman would've been hoping for more opportunities at Bayern this term following the departure of Thiago to Liverpool / BERNADETT SZABO/Getty Images

The Frenchman is now poised to team up with Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road, after The Athletic's David Ornstein confirmed a deal is agreed with Die Roten. The fee has been quoted at £18m in some places, while others have noted that the fee may even reach £20m.

The German giants, though, still view Cuisance as a major talent and it's understood a large buy-back clause has been included in the deal. He is set to arrive in England on Wednesday and will complete a medical ahead of his move to west Yorkshire.

Leeds have been keen to add another central midfielder to their ranks this summer amid concerns over Adam Forshaw's fitness. The former Middlesbrough man hasn't featured in a competitive game in over a year, and is lacking in experience at the highest level.

Marcelo Bielsa's pull.
Marcelo Bielsa's pull. / Pool/Getty Images

Nevertheless, adding a player of Cuisance's talent is certainly some coup for the Premier League newcomers. Bielsa's understood to have been an influence in tempting the Frenchman into a move to Elland Road, where he hopes he'll be able to develop at a quicker pace than in Munich.

In regards to any other potential further incomings, Leeds are said to be targeting a winger before the 5 October deadline. Manchester United's Daniel James is an option, although the Whites will perhaps have to mind the purse strings if Cuisance's move goes through as expected.