Daniel Farke’s Leeds United are closing in on the £4 million signing of Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder Ao Tanaka though the Championship outfit face a potential issue on wages.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
This time last year, the Yorkshire giants completed the signings of Joel Piroe, Ilya Gruev and Glen Kamara in the final few days of August.
12 months on, Leeds United are again leaving it late to get their deals done.
After securing the £10 million acquisition of former Manchester United youngster Largie Ramazani from Almeria and bringing in a footballer with Premier League and Champions League pedigree in Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon, Leeds are edging closer to landing a player who was on their radar last summer too.
Ao Tanaka was heavily linked with a move to Elland Road before fellow midfielders Gruev and Kamara put pen to paper.
Now, with Kamara having left for Rennes in France, the door has opened up against for the Fortuna Dusseldorf ace to belatedly cross the Channel and sign on the dotted line.
Leeds United in for Fortuna Dusseldorf ace Ao Tanaka
HITC have been told that Leeds are progressing in talks over a potential £4 million deal.
There has been some suggestions of a release clause in Tanaka’s Fortuna contract but sources from the Bundesliga.2 outfit insist that no such clause exists.
Leeds are willing to pay up, though it remains to be seen if personal terms can be agreed with wages understood to be an issue as things stand.
Should those problems be overcome, Tanaka will join to help add more depth to a midfield now lacking both Kamara and £35 million Spurs newbie Archie Gray, even if Joe Rothwell has arrived on a short-term deal from Southampton.
Capped 27 times for Japan – and having scored eight goals for his country – Tanaka was likened to one Jude Bellingham by the Bundesliga website back in 2022.
“Tanaka is somewhere in between (an attacking and a defensive midfielder), going box to box and emerging as an on-field leader like Borussia Dortmund’s England international Jude Bellingham,” they wrote at the time.
“Tanaka looks to clean up from deep and get forward whenever possible.”
They highlighted his impressive ball-winning capabilities, his ‘rasping’ long-range shots, and a goal threat from the middle of the park.
Tanaka scored a career-best eight times for Fortuna Dusseldorf in 2023/24.
Daniel Farke brings in Manor Solomon from Tottenham
Should he complete a switch to West Yorkshire before the weekend – Leeds face Hull City on Saturday – Tanaka would likely be deployed as a box-to-box number eight alongside a more withdrawn Ethan Ampadu or Gruev.
Leeds have been heavily linked with Sheffield United talisman Gustavo Hamer in the last 48 hours or so. Tanaka, however, could offer many of the same attributes while joining for a far cheaper fee.
HITC understands that Burnley benchwarmer Manuel Benson is keen to join as well. But while Clarets boss Scott Parker appears to have opened the door for the Belgian winger to go, it remains to be seen if Leeds’ interest remains after sealing deals for both Ramazani and Solomon.
“I am really happy to be here,” Solomon, who scored European goals against Atalanta, Manchester City and Real Madrid (twice) for Shakhtar Donetsk, tells the Leeds website.
“I’ve heard a lot about the club, about its fans, about the heritage, the history. I know it’s a massive club in England and I’m looking forward to seeing the fans and to meet them all.
“As soon as the interest from Leeds came, I started to look for the players, for the coach and I’ve spoken with the manager and he explained to me about the style of playing, about the players that there are in Leeds.
“I know there is a group of great lads, young people with great desire, with great techniques and I’m looking forward to playing with them and to help them in the best way I can.
“I just want to get going.”
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