Leeds United closes in on Stach: Midfielder agrees terms

Newly promoted Leeds United is pushing to bolster their midfield ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, with reports indicating they have made significant progress in their pursuit of Hoffenheim's Anton Stach. According to Florian Plettenberg, the 26-year-old German midfielder has agreed to personal terms with Leeds, signaling his desire for a switch to Elland Road.

However, a crucial hurdle remains: Leeds has yet to reach an agreement on the transfer fee with Hoffenheim. The Bundesliga club is reportedly demanding a fee of around €20 million plus add-ons for Stach. This valuation is considered to be close to his market value, especially as Hoffenheim is aware that players of similar quality have commanded higher fees in recent transfers.

Leeds' interest in Stach, a defensive-minded box-to-box midfielder, first emerged last week. They are not alone in their pursuit, with Plettenberg noting that Hoffenheim has received "several enquiries" for the player, whose contract runs until 2027.

Should Stach depart, Hoffenheim appears to have a contingency plan in place, having already signed Leon Avdullahu from Basel earlier in the transfer window. Their current midfield roster also includes Dennis Geiger, Grischa Prömel, Finn Ole Becker, and Umut Tohumcu.

Stach's statistical profile highlights his defensive prowess. When compared to positional peers across Europe's top five leagues, he ranks in the 93rd percentile for interceptions (1.65 per 90 minutes), the 99th percentile for clearances (3.65 per 90), and the 88th percentile for aerials won (1.83 per 90), according to FBRef. His impressive tackling and defensive awareness were particularly evident during the 2023/24 campaign, where he was ranked second for interceptions (74) across Europe's top five leagues.

This potential signing would represent a significant statement of intent from Leeds United as they prepare for life back in the top flight, aiming to add a robust and defensively astute presence to their midfield.