Leeds United are closing in on a deal to sign Sean Longstaff and have made a breakthrough in talks for Anton Stach, but they are going to have to admit defeat in pursuit of another.
Leeds have had a £15m bid accepted for Longstaff, with £12m paid up front and £3m in add-ons. It sees Leeds finally agree a fee with Newcastle after having three previous bids rejected by Eddie Howe’s men.
Newcastle were reluctant to let him go, with Eddie Howe personally valuing Longstaff at £20m. Today, a report from Germany states that Leeds have agreed personal terms with Hoffenheim star Anton Stach.
A fee needs to be sorted, but it looks as if Leeds are about to splash north of £30m on two impressive midfielders. However, their pursuit of a free agent with England caps is about to come to an abrupt end.
Sean Longstaff in action for Newcastle United.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Kyle Walker-Peters is set to land in Istanbul this afternoon
Leeds have been linked with a move for Walker-Peters. England international Walker-Peters recently confirmed he was leaving Southampton on a free with a touching message to Saints fans on Instagram.
Plenty of Premier League clubs, including Leeds, have been linked with the Tottenham academy product. But now it seems he is set to join Turkish side Besiktas, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer winning the race.
Anton Stach in action during SC Braga v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/JAR Sport Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
A report from Turkish outlet Ortacizgi claims Walker-Peters will land in Istanbul at 5.45PM (3.45 English time) and sign a three-year contract with Besiktas, with the option of a further year if necessary.
Besiktas could strike a double blow on Leeds United
Not only have Besiktas struck an agreement in principle with Walker-Peters, but the SuperLig giants could also beat Leeds to the signing of a priority target. Stach is also under consideration over in Istanbul.
Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters during a game against Ipswich Town.
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
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Walker-Peters would have been a solid signing. Leeds have signed Gabriel Gudmundsson and decided to keep Sam Byram, but there are question marks over if Byram and Isaac Schmidt are top-tier quality.
Leeds could well dip into the market for another full-back, but the focus right now seems to be sorting out deals for both Longstaff and Stach. Longstaff is expected to sign for Leeds before the weekend.