Leeds United will hope their start to 2026 mirrors their unbelievable end to 2025.
Back in November, Daniel Farke looked like a dead man walking in the Elland Road hot seat, with four straight defeats in the Premier League plunging the timid Whites into the relegation zone.
However, now, there is a renewed sense of belief in the Leeds camp that they can survive, with two wins and three draws to close out a whirlwind year, opening up a sizeable six-point gap between themselves and Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham United in 18th position.
There is a long way to still go, but it’s looking within their grasp that the West Yorkshire outfit can keep their heads above water, as a huge January transfer window also reopens.
Leeds make contact over signing £290k-per-week star
Leeds will know that the beginning of 2026 could be a bumpy ride, with Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle United all their opponents in quick succession in a tricky January run of games.
Still, there will be a fearlessness coursing through the Premier League newcomers’ veins, which will only be boosted by Farke and Co. dipping their toes into the market to add to their options, as Union Berlin centre-back Danilho Doekhi appears on their radar to try and soften the blow of Joe Rodon being injured.
Axel Disasi is also being looked at as another centre-back option, as he edges closer to a Chelsea exit, but there could also be a statement move in the works in the midfield department, as ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers ace Ruben Neves continues to be tipped to make a return to the Premier League.
Indeed, a new report by talkSPORT – via GIVEMESPORT – indicates that Leeds have now entered the race for the Al-Hilal high earner, with the £290k-per-week machine also being eyed up by Manchester United and Newcastle, amid concerns he won’t put pen to paper on an extended deal in the Middle East.
It’s even further stated that Leeds have inquired about the potential of landing the 28-year-old on a bargain deal, owing to his contract expiring at the end of the campaign, with Farke and Co. winning themselves an even better signing than Anton Stach by capturing the former Old Gold number eight.
Why Neves could be a better signing than Stach
While Dominic Calvert-Lewin has rightly dominated Elland Road headlines this season, with eight Premier League goals already put away, Stach has also proven to be an inspired summer pick-up.
His stunning form across December, in particular, has stood out, with two goals and one assist coming his way as Leeds pushed away from the relegation mire with ease.
He was even lauded as the Whites’ “signing of the season” by talkSPORT’s Tom Clayton after winning a brave ten duels away at Sunderland, with his dazzling ability to fire home a sweet free kick – like this one put away against Crystal Palace – also validating his argument.
Neves also had an “amazing shot” up his sleeve throughout his very impressive stay at Molineux, as his former teammate Jose Sa once put it, with the Portuguese midfielder boasting a sublime 43 goal contributions from 253 Wolves appearances, 30 of which came in the Premier League.
Neves was a reliable performer for Wolves throughout his four seasons in the top-flight with the West Midlands outfit, with his final season on English shores seeing him win four duels on average per Premier League clash, to be seen as a “midfield general” according to Statman Dave.
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He hasn’t let up plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League, either, with 4.9 ball recoveries averaged per league contest this season, on top of four goals being put away, bettering Stach’s own numbers back in England.
Neves’ career numbers
Stat
Neves
Games played
453
Goals scored
48
Assists
41
Trophies won
7
Sourced by Transfermarkt
The German has just 3.8 ball recoveries averaged in league action, and three goals next to his name, on the contrary, with Neves’ know-how – coming in on a stunning free transfer deal – potentially gifting Leeds just that extra bit more to clinch survival comfortably.
Wolves would amazingly never drop below 13th position in the league standings with Neves in the heart of their midfield, as the 28-year-old now aims to do his bit in consolidating another club as a Premier League regular.
Stach still has plenty to work on so early into his Elland Road journey, despite all the praise heading his way, with the addition of the 63-time Portugal international sticking out as a real coup, if a deal comes to fruition.
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