Leeds have tabled a £2.6m bid to sign 24-year-old, but club are pushing for more money to sell

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German newspaper BILD report that Leeds United have tabled an offer of £2.6m to sign Dusseldorf and Japan star Ao Tanaka – but the second-tier German outfit want more if they are to sell their midfielder.

Tanaka, 24, has impressed at Dusseldorf since initially making the move to European football on loan from Kawasaki Frontale in the summer of 2021. Signing permanently a year later, he’s played 59 times.

On Monday, reports claimed Leeds had made an offer – with BILD saying a deal was set to go happen in the ‘next few days’. Rumours on Twitter saw a private jet fly from Dusseldorf to Leeds Bradford Airport.

But it appears there is still a sticking point in terms of transfer fee between the two clubs. Leeds have bid £2.6m for Tanaka, while Dusseldorf want more. But it is also said a move is “about” to go through.

Leeds table £2.6m Ao Tanaka offer; Dusseldorf want more cash

A very solid signing, on our behalf. One that could not come in and be first choice, or expect to be. The arriving midfielder had to be happy to play cover to Ethan Ampadu. You would expect Tanaka to do that.

On the cheap side, for a player with plenty of international experience already at just 24. Experienced, a low-risk signing financially – but also a player with the potential to rise. Exposure in Asia for Leeds, too.

Leeds are expected to be busy in the final few days of the transfer window. Luke Thomas of Leicester, Rangers ace Glen Kamara and plenty of other players have been linked. Nadiem Amiri’s move seems off.

But Tanaka is certainly one that is expected to go through, especially if reports in German media are to be believed. A player labelled “an important part of the team”, by his side’s director Klaus Allofs.