Anton Stach update emerges out of Leeds United after his £17m reveal, but with a twist

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United are continuing to pursue giant midfielder Anton Stach of Bundesliga outfit TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

The German international is on Leeds United’s shortlist and Graham Smyth believes Stach is a ‘prime candidate’ target of Leeds following our initial suggestion that Leeds should be eyeing a deal for Stach this summer.

He’s grabbed the attention of the fanbase, as Leeds supporters are ‘moved’ at the Stach links so far. However, Stach has been spotted in Hoffenheim training recently, and Leeds are yet to seal an agreement.

It’s been reported that Stach is “considering” a switch to Leeds this summer but nothing concrete has yet materialised and some fans are starting to sweat, despite the club making four additions to the squad so far.

In spite of Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jaka Bijol improving the line up, concerns remain partly due to Stach being spotted in Hoffenheim training recently, but also with other transfer deals taking their time to get over the line.

• READ MORE: What Patrick Bamford is making his wife do in bid to win Daniel Farke over at Leeds United

The latest information regarding Leeds’ move for Anton Stach

Another thing to resolve is the price, with one report from March stating that the Hoffenheim midfielder will cost Leeds a maximum of £17 million.

In recent days, it’s been claimed that Stach is valued in excess of £17 million and Hoffenheim are telling Leeds to dig deep into their pockets to seal a switch for the 26-year-old.

Joe Donnohue has explained the latest regarding Stach’s situation to the Inside Elland Road Podcast, with other interest in Stach beginning to ramp up. He said: “”The Stach situation, I mean, it’s gone a little bit quiet.

“But quiet doesn’t necessarily mean that things are done. Leeds still hold an interest in him.

“As far as we understand, it’s not like bids have been put forward  to Hoffenheim. So, that one is maybe a little bit less advanced.

“Certainly, the interest is there. And, certainly, there is interest in Stach from other teams as well, which is going to be a common theme of this summer.

“I can understand the frustration of fans when they’re hearing reports that Leeds are interested in this player but they deem a deal unlikely.

“That is a consequence of the transfer strategy, which is. ‘let’s try and be ambitious and let’s try and get these players that might just be a little bit out of our league’.

“But if we end up getting them, like they did with Bijol and Gudmundsson — who were both first-choices in their respective positions — then you can look at it and say, ‘yeah, I am glad we didn’t try and temper expectations.

“Or didn’t try and second guess which X player would be interested. We tested the water — for whatever reason sometimes when you test the waters, a selling club might publicise that to journalists that they’re friendly with in whatever country that is.

“Then that gets picked up by the English media and then it’s out in the open. Ultimately, the end of the window will determine whether Leeds have been successful. I think they’ve made good progress so far.

“Yes, it might be slow progress on key positions. Try and view it through the lens of — it’s not done yet.”

It would be a coup for Leeds but they need patience regarding a move, given the complexity of it. Donnohue’s reveal of other interest is not a twist which Leeds fans will be keen to hear, however.

• READ MORE: Graham Smyth names the three signings Leeds United want to make as 49ers to ‘spend big’ 

Anton Stach is a more Premier League ready player than Sunderland duo Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki

Leeds fans are convinced Stach will be a success more so than Sunderland duo Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki and there are some compelling reasons as to why that is the case.

His sheer size and power will help Leeds to win midfield battles. The likes of Diarra and Sadiki are under 5’11” in height and Leeds could benefit from someone markedly taller than Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka as an option. 

Ampadu is 6’0″ and Ilia Gruev is 6’1″ but Stach’s 6’4″ frame gives him strength and a huge advantage over his opponents, which makes him the ideal screen ahead of a defence.

The towering midfield ace has become one of the best players in his position in Germany outside of the five most successful clubs of recent years: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, and RB Leipzig.

Interest appears to be mounting, and Leeds will not want the process to be drawn out much longer for a player who looks ready-made for Premier League football and the types of player currently working right now.