An “incredible” midfielder is now “set to join” Leeds United alongside their move for Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg on X.
Leeds closing in on two new midfielders
Leeds have been targeting Longstaff for quite some time, and the deal is now finally edging closer to completion, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealing the midfielder is set to undergo a medical ahead of a move.
Daniel Farke will be relieved to finally get a new central midfielder through the door, having missed out on Habib Diarra to Premier League rivals Sunderland, but the manager remains keen on securing the signature of another player.
It was recently revealed the Whites have agreed personal terms with Hoffenheim midfielder Anton Stach, who is valued at £17m by the German club, and there has now been a major new update on their pursuit of the 26-year-old.
In a recent update from Plettenberg on X, it was revealed that “new talks” over a deal for Stach took place on Wednesday, with Leeds stepping up their pursuit of the Hoffenheim star, amid rival interest from Bundesliga side Stuttgart.
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Stuttgart have also held talks over a deal for the German, but Hoffenheim are yet to strike an agreement with either club, although the feeling is that he is now “set to join Leeds”, which will come as welcome news for Farke.
However, it remains to be seen whether the Premier League side are willing to match the aforementioned asking price of around £17m plus bonuses.
Stach could be "incredible" addition to Farke's squad
The Hoffenheim maestro has received praise from former teammate Dominik Kohr, who lauded him for his “incredible” shooting ability, while he also excels in a number of other key areas, most often catching the eye from a defensive point of view.
The two-time Germany international is particularly impressive at winning back possession, as showcased by the number of interceptions he has averaged per 90 over the past year, while the defensive midfielder’s 6-foot-4 frame means he is also impressive in the air.
Statistic
Average per 90
Interceptions
1.65 (93rd percentile)
Blocks
1.60 (85th percentile)
Clearances
3.65 (99th percentile)
Aerials won
1.83 (88th percentile)
Leeds will need to be defensively solid if they are to stand a chance of avoiding an immediate return to the Championship, and Stach’s displays for Hoffenheim prove he could be a fantastic signing, so it is exciting news that the move has progressed in recent days.