{"id":43676,"date":"2026-02-24T05:36:50","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T10:36:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/24\/17m-deal-with-leeds-looks-like-future-100m-star\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T05:36:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T10:36:50","slug":"17m-deal-with-leeds-looks-like-future-100m-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/24\/17m-deal-with-leeds-looks-like-future-100m-star\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a317m deal with Leeds looks like future \u00a3100m star"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/24\/17m-deal-with-leeds-looks-like-future-100m-star\/#How_did_Leeds_recruitment_model_become_such_a_hit\" >How did Leeds&#8217; recruitment model become such a hit?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/24\/17m-deal-with-leeds-looks-like-future-100m-star\/#A_big-money_star_is_on_the_rise_in_Leeds\" >A big-money star is on the rise in Leeds.<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/24\/17m-deal-with-leeds-looks-like-future-100m-star\/#Leeds_Uniteds_most_expensive_contract_in_history\" >Leeds United&#8217;s most expensive contract in history<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/24\/17m-deal-with-leeds-looks-like-future-100m-star\/#Leeds_Uniteds_biggest_ever_sale\" >Leeds United&#8217;s biggest ever sale<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Last summer, no one was more aware of the difficulties associated with promotion to the Premier League than Leeds United manager Daniel Farke.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>The German head coach was relegated at Norwich City in 2019\/20, was sacked in October after being relegated to the top flight in 2021\/22, and was unable to remain in the division despite winning two Championship titles.<\/p>\n<p>However, Norwich never spent more than \u00a39m on a single player in 2019 following their first promotion under Farke, and never spent more than \u00a31m on a permanent contract. This shows that he did not receive enough support to succeed in the top league.<\/p>\n<p>After collecting 100 points in the second tier of the 2024-25 season, the struggles at Carrow Road may have led to doubts about the former Norwich manager&#8217;s ability to lead his side to safety.<\/p>\n<p>But the Whites had resources that Falke never had in East Anglia, and they spent their money incredibly wisely with a clever recruitment model.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-leeds-39-recruitment-model-hit-the-jackpot\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_did_Leeds_recruitment_model_become_such_a_hit\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>How did Leeds&#8217; recruitment model become such a hit?<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A clear theme throughout the club&#8217;s reinforcement work during last summer&#8217;s transfer window was to improve the physicality of the squad.<\/p>\n<p>In Lucas Nmeka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Leeds brought in a mobile striker who could run the channels and a strong number nine who could compete with the centre-backs and cause problems for physical defenders.<\/p>\n<p>Xhaka Biyol and Sebastian Bornau, both 6ft 3in, were also signed to strengthen Farke&#8217;s options at centre-back, adding further height to the squad. So were the 6ft 2in Sean Longstaff and 6ft 4in Anton Stach in midfield.<\/p>\n<p>Even Noah Okafor, the tricky left winger signed from AC Milan, is 6ft 1in tall and brings speed and physicality to the Whites&#8217; wing, rather than being a lightweight attacker who can easily be bullied by defenders.<\/p>\n<p>Leeds are ranked fifth in the Premier League for aerial duels won per game (18), and none of the teams in the top nine for that particular statistic are in the relegation zone, a trend the club may have recognized last summer.<\/p>\n<p>The physicality-based reinforcement model has worked so far, as Los Blancos sit six points outside the relegation zone, but their signings need quality as well as physicality, and that&#8217;s where they really hit the jackpot.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"leeds-have-a-big-money-star-in-the-making\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_big-money_star_is_on_the_rise_in_Leeds\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>A big-money star is on the rise in Leeds.<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>One of the club&#8217;s signings in last summer&#8217;s transfer window has become a star in the Premier League this season, looking like his own version of Arsenal&#8217;s Declan Rice.<\/p>\n<p>Anyone familiar with the England international&#8217;s heroics on set-pieces in last season&#8217;s Champions League against the Gunners will know where this is going.<\/p>\n<p>Anton Stach scored his third free-kick of the Premier League season in last weekend&#8217;s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, becoming the first Leeds player to score three direct free-kicks in a season since Ross McCormack in 2013-14.<\/p>\n<p>Arsenal set a club record for Rice by paying \u00a3105m to sign the central midfielder from West Ham, and Stutch&#8217;s performances this season suggest he is Leeds&#8217; first \u00a3100m signing.<\/p>\n<p>Los Blancos spent \u00a317 million to sign the 6ft 4 giant from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim last summer, making him one of the club&#8217;s biggest ever signings.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                      \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"leeds-united-most-expensive-signings-of-all-time\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/leeds-record-signings.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/leeds-record-signings.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Leeds_Uniteds_most_expensive_contract_in_history\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tLeeds United&#8217;s most expensive contract in history<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Who is Los Blancos&#8217; record signing?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Comparing his performances to those of Arsenal&#8217;s star players this season, there is no significant difference in their performances, either defensively or offensively, despite the English midfielder being top of the league.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>25\/26 Premier League<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>rice<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>stung<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Appearance<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>27<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>twenty two<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>the goal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>assist<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Tackles + Interceptions per game<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>3.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2.7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Number of dribble breakthroughs per game<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.4 times<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.4 times<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Duels won per match<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>4.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>5.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Aerial duel success rate<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>71%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>64%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>Described as an &#8220;incredible discoverer&#8221; by journalist Josh Bunting, Stacchi scored as many goals as Rice and averaged the same number of dribbles per game.<\/p>\n<p>Both central midfielders are box-to-box stars and are extremely strong in the air, making many tackles and interceptions in each game as well as contributing in attack.<\/p>\n<p>Stacchi has really hit the ground running in the Premier League, proving that he has both the physical and technical attributes to become a star in that division, especially considering how similar his performances have been to the \u00a3105 million signing.<\/p>\n<p>Leeds could land their first ever \u00a3100m player if the German giants continue to perform at their current level in the Premier League. Leeds have never sold anyone for more than the \u00a355m they sold Raphinha to Barcelona in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>If he continues to prove he is as influential in and out of the league as Rice, who is valued at \u00a3105 million, teams may be willing to pay big for the six-foot four-star player.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                      \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"leeds-united-most-expensive-sales-players-sold-all-time-list\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/leeds-united-record-sales-raphinha-summerville-phillips.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/leeds-united-record-sales-raphinha-summerville-phillips.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"440\" height=\"364\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Leeds United Record Sales Raphinha Somerville Phillips\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/leeds-united-record-sales-raphinha-summerville-phillips.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=182&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/leeds-united-record-sales-raphinha-summerville-phillips.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=182&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Leeds_Uniteds_biggest_ever_sale\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tLeeds United&#8217;s biggest ever sale<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Let&#8217;s take a look at the departure record from Elland Road.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>But it will be up to Stach to be consistent and prove he is not a one-hit wonder in order to attract interest from some of Europe&#8217;s top teams.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last summer, no one was more aware of the difficulties associated with promotion to the Premier League than Leeds United manager Daniel Farke. The German head coach was relegated at Norwich City in 2019\/20, was sacked in October after being relegated to the top flight in 2021\/22, and was unable to remain in the division [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43677,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[2777,6583,101,40,1767,87,86],"class_list":{"0":"post-43676","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-100m","9":"tag-17m","10":"tag-deal","11":"tag-football","12":"tag-future","13":"tag-leeds","14":"tag-star"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43676","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43676"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43676\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43677"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}