Four Premier League sides including Tottenham and Liverpool are sizing up a Bundesliga raid for a towering midfielder who could solve numerous issues, per a report.
Liverpool’s midfield problems have been well documented this season. Jurgen Klopp has generally urged caution when discussing the subject of future transfers, though has changed his tune of late.
“This is a summer where we have to be in the market, definitely,” said the German on Friday. “I’m sorry that I cannot guarantee Champions League at this moment, but we will fight for it.
“It will be tricky, and it will be decided late, I guess, but we have to start doing work early, before we know where we will end up, position-wise and European competition-wise. These things are clear.”
Jude Bellingham is their primary target and the Athletic’s David Ornstein recently shed light on the new colossal fee Borussia Dortmund are expected to demand.
However, multiple new additions may be required given the state of Klopp’s current options. Indeed, the Mirror predicted no fewer than five Reds midfielders will make way at season’s end.
Gazzetta dello Sport named a four-man hit-list Klopp and his recruitment team have reportedly drafted up. Among them is Nicolo Barella who Liverpool have stepped up their scouting efforts in 2023.
However, according to 90min, a left-field target who’s also been observed is Mainz midfielder, Anton Stach.
The towering 6ft 4in star plays primarily in a defensive midfield position. He can operate further forward if required, though his bread and butter is at the base of midfield.
90min report Liverpool’s scouts have watched the 24-year-old who has two senior caps to his name with Germany. However, the Reds are by no means alone in sizing up the giant German.
Tottenham ,West Ham, Newcastle all involved
Tottenham too have followed suit by scouting Stach. West Ham and Newcastle are also named as having sent officials to monitor the Mainz man.
Each Premier League side has their own separate need for a player of Stach’s type.
Indeed, Liverpool’s midfield issues don’t need explaining, but Tottenham are a man light following Rodrigo Bentancur’s ACL injury.
The Uruguayan has successfully undergone surgery to repair the issue, though is likely to miss a sizeable chunk of next season too during his lengthy rehabilitation.
Stach would be a welcome addition to Spurs’ midfield over the summer, while he could also put out fires at Newcastle and West Ham too.
The Hammers are understood to have internally accepted Declan Rice will leave in the summer. That was the Athletic’s view back in late-December.
Arsenal are the frontrunners to snap up Rice at present and Stach is deemed by 90min to be a worthy successor in David Moyes’ engine room.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are yet to win a single game this season in which Bruno Guimaraes has not featured.
The Brazilian isn’t likely to be leaving any time soon. However, Newcastle are clearly over-reliant on the Brazilian ace and with a European campaign and a packed fixture list on the horizon for next season, Eddie Howe requires far greater strength in depth.
With problems to solve all across the Premier League, Stach is quickly emerging as a man in demand.