Leeds closing in on signing of player that has been likened to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham

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Leeds United are closing in on the signing of Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder Ao Takana with the player said to have travelled to Yorkshire on Monday – a midfielder that has been likened to Jude Bellingham.

Takana, 24, is one of a number of Japanese players to have made the move to European football in the last few years. Having a hand in 19 goals in 94 goals for Kawasaki Frontale, he joined Dusseldorf in 2021.

Initially on loan, he signed permanently in 2022. Turning into a more of a holding midfield player, his form in Germany has seen him become a regular for Japan – playing 19 times for his country, scoring three.

German newspaper BILD claim Leeds have tabled a bid north of £2.3m for Tanaka – after Stuttgart saw a bid rejected. The report, on Monday, claimed Daniel Farke would tie up a deal in the ‘next few days’.

Eagle-eyed Leeds fans even spotted a private jet scheduled to fly from Dusseldorf in Germany around 11am yesterday – to arrive at Leeds Bradford Airport. No confirmation it is him, but a mighty coincidence.

The Bundesliga website have actually compared Tanaka’s style of play to Real Madrid star Bellingham: “Box to box and emerging as an on-field leader like Bellingham. Tanaka looks to clean up from deep.

“He averages almost nine tackles won per Bundesliga 2 game. Gets forward when possible. He’s had almost one shot per outing, mixing things up, including rasping shots from outside the penalty area.”

Leeds closing in on signing of Takana; Likened to Bellingham

It is a smart signing. Takana will know that he is joining Leeds to provide cover with a view to breaking into the first team. Ethan Ampadu is first choice in that area and has made a wonderful start at Leeds.

If Leeds were going to sign a big-name, expensive player – it is only going to frustrate Ampadu. Leeds needed to sign a player with plenty of quality but one that knew he would be acting as Ampadu cover.

In that regard, Takana is perfect. It is expected that in the first couple of days this week, a move will go through. It seems Farke’s knowledge of German football is set to strike again – good news for Leeds.