Should Leeds consider free agent that Real Madrid bought for £13.5m in 2015?

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Injuries to Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton have highlighted a worrying lack of depth in central midfield at Leeds United and the Whites should really consider using the free agent market – and a former Real Madrid star would be perfect.

Marcelo Bielsa continues to use a 4-1-4-1 system, with Kalvin Phillips sitting in front of the defence. Of the two central midfielders ahead of the academy product, one sits slightly deeper and the other plays as a number 10.

First choice for Bielsa is Adam Forshaw in the number eight role, while Matuesz Klich plays number 10. Shackleton has filled in as both the eight and then 10, while Tyler Roberts is renowned for being able to do a job as the 10.

But Leeds need cover, and natural central midfield talent at that. Phillips has no cover at the base of the midfield with Forshaw injured, while the Whites are lacking in the number eight role that Bielsa has mastered since moving to Elland Road.

The Argentine gaffer has simply got to enter the free agent market and Brazil youth international Lucas Silva would be ideal. The Brazil Under-23 international is currently looking for a new home after being released by Real Madrid in September.

Spanish newspaper Marca claim Real spent £13.5million to sign Silva in January 2015, but he managed just nine outings for Real before leaving four-and-a-half-years later. Silva spent the 2015-16 season at one of Bielsa’s former sides.

Indeed, the midfielder joined Marseille in August 2015, just a couple of weeks after Bielsa resigned as manager of te Ligue 1 side. He has since spent time on loan at Cruzeiro, the side he grew up with.

With the likes of Luka Modric, Casemeiro, Toni Kroos and Fede Valverde, Real are well-stocked in the middle of the park and with Silva desperate to find a new home – Premier League clubs are hardly going to chance their arm on the unproven talent.

But Leeds should give him the chance to show why Real spent so much money on him in the first place. Able to cover Phillips and also play slightly more advanced in the eight role, he is perfect – especially on a free.