Leeds United could be about to sort out their midfield with a double swoop in the next few days with two new additions in the form of Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach.
After a third bid was rejected for Longstaff last week, Leeds have managed to agree a fee with Newcastle. Longstaff has agreed terms, and the player is set to fly back from Newcastle’s training camp in Austria.
It will see Longstaff leave his boyhood club for the first time, having come through Newcastle’s academy. He has since played 171 times for Newcastle in the Premier League since making his top-tier debut.
A deal for Longstaff is expected before the weekend, while Leeds are making progress in their move to sign Anton Stach from Hoffenheim. It is claimed that Leeds have agreed personal terms with Stach.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty ImagesLeeds take their midfield options from three to five with duo
Leeds had to make signings in midfield after losing Joe Rothwell and Josuha Guilavogui this summer. But, if Leeds sign both Stach and Longstaff, it will see Leeds boast five midfielders hoping to start for Leeds.
Five players who have could have cost the club a total of around £50m. Even Ilia Gruev, who would likely become fifth-choice if Longstaff and Stach sign, has plenty of reason to think he should start for Leeds.
But for two positions, Leeds now have five potential starting options. It seems like overkill from Leeds’ perspective and will cause one or two to become disillusioned pretty quickly. Unless, there’s a change.
Photo by Simon Hofmann/Getty ImagesLeeds signing Longstaff and Stach hints at Farke formation switch
With Leeds back in the Premier League, they are not going to be able to carry passengers. They cannot focus on attack as they did in the Championship and they certainly won’t be able to control matches.
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Playing with a no.10 then, could be deemed a bit of a luxury by Farke. To be more solid, Farke may be looking to change his tried-and-trusted 4-2-3-1 formation and replace a no.10 with another midfielder.
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Packing the midfield, boosting the engine room and being harder to break down against England’s best. Signing both Longstaff and Stach alongside Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu and Gruev it is the plan.
Especially, when Leeds have not yet signed a no.10 and the current option is Brenden Aaronson, who was largely underwhelming at Leeds last season. Five players for three positions makes much more sense.