Latest transfer news and rumours: Anton Stach to Leeds, Daniel Farke on Bamford future, Youri Tielemans to Saudi Pro League

Leeds have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Hoffenheim midfielder Anton Stach.

The newly-promoted side recently strengthened their engine room with the £12m addition of Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United.

Leeds are now set to make another midfield signing, with the Daily Mail reporting that the Yorkshire club are on the verge of signing Stach from Hoffenheim.

They have reached an agreement with the Bundesliga club to sign the 26-year-old for £17m, having fended off rival interest from DFB-Pokal winners Stuttgart.

Stach will put pen to paper on a four-year contract to become Leeds' sixth signing of the summer transfer window.

The defensive midfielder is set to play his club football outside of Germany for the first time in his career, having previously spent time at Greuther Furth and Mainz before he joined Hoffenheim in 2023.

Farke drops Bamford bombshell

While Stach looks set to join Leeds, Daniel Farke has revealed that Patrick Bamford is no longer part of his plans at Elland Road. 

Leeds have bolstered their forward options with the addition of Lukas Nmecha this summer, with the 26-year-old set to compete with Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph for the number nine spot.

Nmecha's arrival has ultimately pushed Bamford down the pecking order, and Farke has now revealed that Bamford will be allowed to leave the club after being left out of the squad for Saturday's goalless draw with Manchester United in a pre-season friendly.

"I had a really, really open and honest conversation with him, and it's quite important for me, because Patrick knows exactly how much I value him as a player," Farke told reporters.

"I've spoken several times about this and that I would have preferred to have a completely fit Patrick Bramford in the last two seasons.

“He also knows how much I rate him also as a person, and for that, I thought it was my duty to have a very honest and open conversation straight away with him - I think it was second day in pre-season when I got him into my office and I told him that he's not my plans for the upcoming Premier League season."

Farke went on to add: “He will score on each every level because he's a top player. But after the last two seasons, I was not willing to say come on you are right now our main man on a permanent level.

"And to be honest, I don't think that he should be a back-up option anymore, because this is not what you should be if you were the main man for so many years as well. And that's why we had this honest conversation."

Bamford has scored 60 goals in 205 appearances for Leeds, but he failed to start a single Championship game last season due to injuries and technical decisions. 

Tielemans attracting Saudi Pro League interest

Meanwhile, Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans has reportedly emerged as a target Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.

Al-Ittihad already boast a number of notable names, including Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Fabinho.

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the Saudi Arabian club are keen to make Tielemans their latest high-profile addition.

The update claims that Al-Ittihad have placed the Belgium international at the 'top of their shortlist' for the current transfer window.

Tielemans is said to be happy at Villa Park, but the Premier League club could consider a sale if they receive a significant offer.

Villa are not ruling out sales to help meet the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, but Unai Emery will surely want to retain Tieleman's services due to his importance to the squad. 

Tielemans was a regular fixture in the Villa side last season, contributing five goals and 10 assists in 53 competitive appearances.