Leeds United have added another midfielder to their transfer wishlist after falling short for Habib Diarra.
There is still plenty to do for the 49ers and Daniel Farke to ensure they have a Premier League midfield ready to go at Leeds United in 2025/26.
Sebastiaan Bornauw is on the way to signing for Leeds after a medical yesterday. However, they need to start bolstering their ranks further forward.
On Saturday, we suggested Hoffenheim’s Anton Stach as a ‘monster’ option for Leeds to consider instead of Diarra. It now seems that Leeds have concrete interest in his services.
Anton Stach - German midfielder for Hoffenheim
Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images
Anton Stach emerges as a serious transfer target for Leeds United
Graham Smyth has explained that Leeds have “identified a ball-winning specialist” as a prime candidate to add to Farke’s midfield on top of Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu.
One of the reasons is that they want to be rock solid at set-pieces at their own end but also carry a threat at the other. That requires much more height and power in the side.
Smyth has explained Stach stands at 6’4″ and that he has shown his ability to cover ground, win duels, read the game and dominate aerially in the Bundesliga.
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Not only that, but his name is on Leeds’ shortlist. However, he does say there is an expectation of fierce competition for his signature this summer and that Leeds can expect a more drawn-out affair in search of his services.
That is if they can attain him and sign him ahead of mounting competition, with German interest in the midfielder. Stach interest has been spoken into existence from our initial opinion of the player.
Anton Stach of Hoffenheim
Photo by Markus Gilliar/Getty Images
Anton Stach’s availability could make him a bargain for Leeds
The towering midfield ace has become one of the best players in his position in Germany outside of the main four clubs of recent years: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and RB Leipzig.
He works best as a box-to-box or defensive midfielder but he has deputised as a central defender on occasion as well. Leeds would utilise him as a No.8 or No.6 if they sign him ahead of the competition.
Team League Appearances Goals Assists
VfL Osnabrück II Oberliga Niedersachsen 1 0 0
SSV Jeddeloh II Regionalliga Nord 27 4 3
VfL Wolfsburg II Regionalliga Nord 40 6 6
SpVgg Greuther Fürth 2. Bundesliga 33 1 1
1. FSV Mainz 05 Bundesliga 68 2 13
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Bundesliga 71 4 6
Germany N/A 2 0 0
Anton Stach’s career stats (all comps)
His availability is outstanding, with Stach having played 29 games or more in each of his four Bundesliga campaigns. That may not jump off the page but the German top flight has 34 league fixtures in a season.
That and his sheer frame and size could help raise the floor of Leeds’ team, while he is technically secure enough to be a ceiling raiser as well. But availability is the best ability and Ampadu and Tanaka would benefit from someone of his size alongside them.