Elliot Anderson revelation leaves Daniel Farke smiling as Leeds’ bargain transfer strategy pays off

Elliot Anderson is of interest to Manchester City this summer, after a fantastic campaign with Nottingham Forest.

Joining from Newcastle in 2024, the midfielder has continued to shift through the gears at the City Ground.

As a result, the 23-year-old is now an England regular, while the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders are willing to part with upwards of £100million to secure his signature.

For Leeds, the mooted fee only serves as a reminder of just how well they've done in the midfield market.

Daniel Farke's side secured Premier League survival with relative ease this term - improving and improving as the season progressed.

After some immense recruitment, the Whites look ready to further progress in the top flight, and Farke will be laughing at just how fortunate he was to build his current squad for such an insignificant outlay.

Elliot Anderson's fee compared with Leeds midfield

As a result of two impressive seasons with the Garibaldi, it is only natural that Anderson has attracted attention.

Heading into the summer, Manchester City are interested in the midfielder, having previously seen a proposal rejected by Nottingham Forest.

Based on new information from David Ornstein, the proposal is said to have been worth £106m, with add-ons taking the potential deal to around £120m.

Of course, Anderson is supremely talented, and has many years remaining on his career clock.

But when Farke's current midfield is considered, he will most certainly consider just how fortunate he is.

Out of the midfield three that guided the Whites to safety, Anton Stach's fee sits at the highest, with the German arriving last summer for around £17m - more than partners Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu combined.

Tanaka made the move from Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2024 for a fee of around £2.9m, while Ampadu arrived from Chelsea for £7m in 2023.

For further context, the West Yorkshire outfit spent just over £100m following their ascent to the Premier League - a number still lower than the mooted fee for Anderson.

Of course, the midfielder has earned his praise and whatever potential move comes, but the bargains Leeds have secured in midfield have to be admired in comparison.

Is Leeds midfield trio set in stone amid Daniel Farke rebuild?

Across the whole pitch, it is hard to imagine that there is any area as set in stone as the Leeds midfield.

Joining from Hoffenheim last summer, Stach instantly hit the ground running as one of the Premier League's best, while Ampadu proved a classy controller in the middle of the park.

Japanese international Tanaka would struggle for consistent minutes throughout the campaign, but his emergence towards the end proved exactly why he is such a fan favourite at Elland Road.

As the Whites sealed their spot in the division, they looked like a seasoned Premier League outfit - one with much more than avoiding relegation in their sights.

And as Farke looks to future proof the side, Leeds simply have to build around what is a well-oiled midfield core.

And to make it even more special, all three arrived for a bargain fee in what is a rather unforgiving modern market.