Leeds United’s transfer business this summer has been an intriguing and exciting journey for fans, with the club clearly focused on rebuilding and strengthening their squad after a challenging season. The club’s recent business has included the announcement of Sean Longstaff’s £15m move from Newcastle, and now, with the impending arrival of Anton Stach from Hoffenheim, it seems Leeds are on the brink of completing yet another significant signing.

The excitement surrounding Stach’s transfer stems from the fact that he’s an experienced German international, having represented his country at the senior level twice, and at just 25 years old, he’s in the prime of his career. Stach’s skill set fits exactly what Leeds need in midfield—he is dynamic, combative, and can bring a level of technical quality to the middle of the park that should significantly improve the team’s depth and creativity.

The deal for Stach has been progressing at a rapid pace. According to the latest reports from prominent journalists like Florian Plettenberg and Graham Smyth, the transfer is essentially finalized, with only the formalities left to be completed. The fact that Stach was absent from Hoffenheim’s pre-season friendly, which ended in a resounding 11-0 win, only serves to confirm that his focus is now on joining Leeds. Stach is said to have flown to England, where he’s undergoing a medical at the club’s Thorp Arch training ground, and everything is aligned for a £17m transfer, with additional add-ons based on his performance. This would be a major signing for Leeds, especially considering the importance of adding a solid, proven performer to their midfield, and a player with potential to be a standout in the Championship.

Once the deal is completed, Stach will travel directly to Germany, where Leeds are holding their pre-season training camp in Harsewinkel. There, he will join up with the squad and begin preparations for the upcoming season, including taking part in two pre-season friendlies. His early integration into the team speaks to Leeds’ ambition to hit the ground running as they look to challenge for promotion. The arrival of Stach will likely bolster a midfield that already includes new addition Sean Longstaff, and with both players set to provide competition and depth in the middle of the park, Leeds’ central options are looking far more robust.

Stach’s signing is particularly exciting because of Leeds’ growing relationship with Hoffenheim. The club had previously signed Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim in a club-record deal worth £35.5m back in January 2023, making it clear that Hoffenheim is a club Leeds have had success working with. Should this deal for Stach be confirmed as expected, it will mark the second major signing from Hoffenheim in just two years, cementing their role as a key source of talent for Leeds. Interestingly, there’s even the possibility that Stach’s transfer could end up breaking Leeds’ current club-record signing, depending on how the deal’s add-ons and bonuses are structured.

However, as exciting as this midfield signing is, Leeds are far from finished in the transfer market. The club’s transfer strategy for this summer involves addressing several more areas of the squad, most notably the goalkeeper, left-sided winger, and striker positions.

With Illan Meslier’s future at Leeds in question, the club is actively pursuing a replacement for the French goalkeeper. Meslier has been a standout performer for Leeds in recent seasons, but with the club’s struggles in the Premier League and their subsequent relegation to the Championship, there are growing concerns about whether he will stay or move on. Leeds’ pursuit of Lucas Perri, a highly-rated Brazilian goalkeeper, has been well-documented, but it has hit a stumbling block after the 23-year-old suffered an injury. The injury setback has forced Leeds to reconsider their plans, although they remain interested in Perri should he regain full fitness. On top of that, reports have suggested that Marseille has entered the race for Perri, complicating Leeds’ hopes of securing his signature.

At the same time, Leeds are also targeting a new left-sided winger. One name that has emerged in the rumour mill is Igor Paixao, another Brazilian talent. Paixao is a versatile winger who has impressed with his performances, and Leeds have reportedly made him a priority target. However, Paixao is now a target for French side Marseille as well, meaning Leeds face stiff competition to land the talented attacker. Should they fail in their pursuit of Paixao, Leeds may have to turn their attention elsewhere to fill this key role in the squad.

The other major area of concern for Leeds is in attack. The club has been heavily linked with Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, and although their initial bid of £26m was rejected, the club remains determined to sign the Brazilian forward. Muniz has expressed his desire to move to Elland Road, and Leeds are reportedly preparing a new bid, one that is likely to be closer to Fulham’s £50m valuation. This would represent a substantial outlay for Leeds, but it’s clear that they view Muniz as a potential game-changer for their promotion push. Muniz’s youth, talent, and ability to score goals in a competitive league make him an appealing target for a team that needs to strengthen their attacking options. Leeds’ willingness to go back in with an improved offer for Muniz highlights the club’s commitment to building a squad capable of returning to the Premier League as quickly as possible.

As the window progresses, Leeds fans will be watching closely to see how the club moves in these final areas. With Stach’s deal looking like a major success, the focus will now shift to the goalkeeper, winger, and striker targets. If the club can secure the signings of Perri (or another goalkeeper), Paixao (or a similar winger), and Muniz (or an alternative striker of comparable quality), Leeds will have addressed many of the gaps in their squad and could be in a strong position to challenge for promotion.

In addition to these incoming signings, Leeds will also need to navigate potential outgoings. The club is likely to see some players depart before the end of the window, whether through permanent transfers or loan moves, as part of the ongoing squad reshaping. Keeping the balance between new arrivals and departures will be crucial to ensuring that Leeds build a squad that is not only talented but also harmonious and ready to compete at the top end of the Championship.

In summary, while the summer transfer window is far from over, Leeds United are making significant strides in their efforts to rebuild and improve the squad. The potential signing of Anton Stach is an exciting development, adding much-needed quality and depth to the midfield. However, with more targets to pursue and a few hurdles still to overcome, Leeds’ business is set to continue at pace. Fans will be eager to see how the rest of the window unfolds, with key signings still to be made in other areas of the team. With a mix of experienced players, talented newcomers, and a renewed sense of ambition, Leeds look primed to mount a strong challenge for promotion next season.