‘Let’s get to work’ – Sean Longstaff reacts to message as Leeds agree another signing
Leeds United’s midfield looks set to be transformed next season after another new signing was confirmed after Sean Longstaff.
Longstaff had become Leeds‘ most expensive addition of the summer after his £12million move from Newcastle on 18 July, and the 27-year-old is getting up to speed with Daniel Farke‘s side in pre-season.
Leeds’ first pre-season friendly of the summer saw them draw 0-0 with arch-rivals Manchester United in Stockholm, as Longstaff made his debut off the bench at half-time for skipper Ethan Ampadu in midfield.
Ao Tanaka played ahead of Longstaff and Ilia Gruev in a more attacking role for much of the second half on 19 July, but Leeds’ engine room looks set for another shake-up after the latest transfer developments.
Leeds announce Anton Stach signing
Farke has made a conscious effort to bulk up Leeds’ size and physicality this summer with the additions of an imposing trio of defenders in Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson.
The Whites’ midfield has already had Longstaff added to it, and was strengthened further on Tuesday as Leeds announced the signing of German international Anton Stach from Hoffenheim in a £17m deal.
Stach becomes Leeds’ most expensive arrival of the summer and adds a sizeable six-foot-four presence to Farke’s midfield, and the German posted on Instagram (22 Jul) after his transfer was confirmed.
Longstaff liked Stach’s message to the Elland Road faithful, which said: “New chapter. New colours. Grateful to join Leeds United – let’s get to work!”
Leeds hit with transfer setback after Mateo Joseph news
Football Insider Verdict
Farke may have now bolstered his defence and midfield significantly this summer, but his final third setup is still up for debate after the Leeds boss told Patrick Bamford that he won’t be in his plans next season.
That stance comes with Leeds in the hunt for a new number nine, but those plans have had a spanner thrown in the works after Mateo Joseph informed Farke that he wants to leave the Whites this summer.
Joseph has been heavily tipped to join Junior Firpo at Real Betis, but Leeds will stand firm on their asking price for the young Spaniard as Farke is left with just Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha as first-team strikers.
It remains to be seen if Farke will change his stance on Bamford in the wake of the bombshell let off by Joseph, and Tuesday’s news only heightens Leeds’ clear need for a top-class, ready-to-start striker.