Leeds United have a strong interest in Anton Stach, with the German international midfielder on their transfer shortlist.
The 26-year-old is one of the primary options on Leeds United’s shortlist and Graham Smyth believes Stach is a ‘prime candidate’ Leeds target following a suggestion from us that Leeds should be looking into signing Stach this summer.
It’s fair to say Leeds supporters are ‘moved’ at the Stach transfer talk. However, Stach has been spotted in Hoffenheim training recently, with Leeds yet to seal an agreement with the Bundesliga outfit.
Progress needs to be made swiftly now, especially given Leeds’ difficulties in acquiring other midfield targets so far this window. Stach is valued in excess of £17 million and Hoffenheim are telling Leeds to dig deep into their pockets to make a move happen.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim midfielder Anton Stach
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Anton Stach’s preferred shirt number is available at Leeds
Another hurdle to overcome is convincing the player. It’s already been reported that Stach is “considering” a switch to Leeds this summer but nothing concrete has yet materialised on that front yet, either.
Leeds need to convince the player to make a move, which is easier said than done given the fact the last three promoted sides have all been relegated immediately. However, there are methods Leeds can undertake to get players through the door quicker.
Of course, assurances over game time help on that front, as do financial incentives as well, but another factor can often be a player wanting to retain or take their preferred shirt number. Leeds cannot go without Stach’s profile and need all the help they can get.
In most cases, it won’t be a deal-breaker but it can be helpful to convince them to an extent. Stach has worn six, 24, and 16 in his professional club career so far. On top of that, two, 24, and four for the German national team.
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But 16 has been his preference for the last three seasons in Germany with Hoffenheim. It’s a shirt number which has been available at Leeds for a little while now, but Stach could be a player to buck the trend of recent holders of No.16.
Leeds’ last six players to select that particular number have been an interesting mix to say the least, with Bradley Johnson four seasons from 2007-2011 being the best of 16 in recent Leeds memory. Here, we look back at the players who have taken it since.
Cardiff City v Leeds United: Emirates FA Cup Third Round
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Leeds’ last six players to wear Anton Stach’s shirt number
1. Sonny Perkins is the most recent player to wear the shirt, working in reverse order. He scored once in four appearances during an FA Cup game against Cardiff City. He’s now plying his trade with Leyton Orient but the West Ham United academy graduate never made the grade at Elland Road.
2. Yosuke Ideguchi is perhaps one of the strangest signings Leeds have ever made. Joining from Gamba Osaka in 2018, he never played for the club. After various loans, Leeds actually turned a small profit on the Japanese midfielder in the end.
3. Matt Grimes was an unpopular figure in West Yorkshire. The Swansea City loanee joined Garry Monk’s men in 2016/17 but failed to impress in 12 appearances. He’s since become one of the best players in the Championship in recent seasons for Swansea and Coventry City.
4. Toumani Diagouraga had a brief stint with Leeds in 2015/16 and scored three times. He’s the best so far on this list but was not particularly memorable. He fell down the leagues rapidly after leaving Leeds for Ipswich Town, before retirement a few years ago now.
5. Nicky Ajose can also be filed under one of the weirdest signings the club has ever made. His four appearances came during Massimo Cellino’s era of the club, where it’s fair to say a scattergun approach to recruitment was employed — and it showed.
6. Danny Pugh is perhaps the most impressive player to wear 16 since Johnson’s departure, with the former Leeds man taking the shirt from Johnson. He was a useful enough utility player for a few roles, albeit never high enough in quality to make a meaningful impact.
It’s fair to say that Stach won’t have a high bar to clear if he maintains his favourite number in recent years, and that he will hopefully have better luck in 16 than his counterparts, should Leeds now get a transfer over the line for him.