Amid the furore of Leeds United’s first pre-season fixture of the summer against Manchester United in Sweden, the transfer team at Elland Road were closing in on the club’s sixth addition of the window.
Daniel Farke and Ruben Amorim watched their sides play out a 0-0 draw in Stockholm’s Strawberry Arena. Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Lukas Nmecha, Sean Longstaff, and Sebastiaan Bornauw all featured.
Longstaff’s arrival was only confirmed 24 hours before the £15m addition jumped on a flight to Sweden and came on at half-time for Farke’s men. An impressive turnaround from the former Newcastle player.
But perhaps it had to be simply to show Farke what he can do. That is because it seems Leeds are about to sign another midfielder, this time in the form of Germany international Anton Stach from Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim sporting director confirms Anton Stach transfer
Hoffenheim themselves were in action on Saturday. They ran out 5-2 winners, but did it without 26-year-old midfielder Stach. That is because the lofty German is set to complete a move to Leeds very soon.
Before Leeds’ draw with rivals Man United, Fabrizio Romano posted his trademark ‘here we go’ when updating fans on Leeds’ move for Stach. A £17m fee is expected to be paid to the Bundesliga outfit.
Following Hoffenheim’s win, the club’s sporting director, Andreas Schicker, told Kicker a move is close to completion, and that only a few final details are missing before Leeds and Hoffenheim confirm a transfer.
“It’s clearly moving toward a transfer. Only the details still need to be clarified. We’re keeping an eye on the transfer market to find a new player,” Schicker said when asked about Stach’s absence from the team.
Why Leeds are adding a fifth central midfielder in Stach…
With Stach coming in, that sees Leeds bring in a fifth central midfielder with all five vying for a start. Last season, Leeds had five options in midfield but Josuha Guilavogui knew he would only be a substitute.
Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev and Ao Tanaka started against Man United with Longstaff coming off the bench. It is a clear indication that Farke is going to switch from 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 system to pack the midfield.
It sees Leeds throw away the no.10 position and reduce the need to sign competition or a replacement for Brenden Aaronson. Five midfielders, vying for three places in the starting line-up under boss Farke.
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