Leeds United have agreed a deal to sign Anton Stach as Daniel Farke’s sixth summer signing approaches completion.
Anton Stach is a 26-year-old powerhouse of a midfielder, and he will become one of the tallest Leeds United players at 6’4″ in height.
It’s clear to see why Leeds fans are ‘moved’ at the idea of Stach, given the sheer presence and physicality he will bring to an already physical-looking midfield department.
For a while now, personal terms with Stach and Leeds have been in place. It was also looking more positive with Hoffenheim looking to sign alternatives already.
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Anton Stach left out of Hoffenheim’s matchday squad
Leeds aren’t the only interested party, though, with Besiktas also registering interest in Stach. In spite of that, and of VfB Stuttgart registering interest, Leeds led the race.
Then, it was revealed that Stuttgart won’t sign Stach, meaning Leeds now have a free run at Stach this summer. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed a £17.3 million plus add-ons fee for Stach has been agreed.
The final stages of the deal will include sorting the medical to get the German international over the line. Leeds have also moved yet another step closer thanks to an update from Hoffenheim.
Stach has been in pre-season training with Hoffenheim but the latest regarding their pre-season tour in Austria is that he is not involved at all in their matchday squad.
It appears Stach has left the camp to travel to West Yorkshire, having been involved — and captained — the Hoffenheim team in their last game of pre-season as well.
Leeds have been able to move quickly to finalise deals once the fee has been agreed with the club, and hopefully Stach follows suit in that sense after the latest development.
Anton Stach’s defensive numbers in the Bundesliga highlight why Leeds are desperate for him
A strong core and spine of the team will platform other players to go out and express themselves in attack. There is also a lack of top flight experience in central midfield, which Leeds are moving to address.
Both Sean Longstaff and Stach add a huge amount of that to midfield, with their intangibles as important as their intensity, desire, and work-rate out of possession.
Per Opta’s Jonny Cooper, Stach is ranked in the top-four in the Bundesliga across the last two seasons for interceptions (120, 1st), tackles (142, 4th), possession won (393, 3rd), and duels won (381, 4th).
Stach also has 122 appearances in the Bundesliga under his belt to go alongside Longstaff’s 171 Premier League outings. Leeds need characters with size and experience, and both will provide plenty.
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