Leeds United favourite Ao Tanaka is earning half of Brenden Aaronson’s weekly wage

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Leeds United fans are in desperate need of a pick-me-up after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor and could do with a bit of good news away from the pitch.

After solid performances against Bournemouth and Tottenham, many expected Leeds to go to Burnley and beat last season’s second-placed Championship side. Micah Richards said Leeds were “excellent”.

But Daniel Farke watched on in horror as Leeds failed to score any of their 19 attempts on goal, while Burnley managed to convert two of their four. Leeds had an XG of over 2.5 and yet, failed to score.

Leeds fans are concerned and a bit of good news would go a long way to cheering up a concerned fanbase that are growing more and more nervous, as Friday’s clash against West Ham draws closer.

• READ MORE: Daniel Farke will have to do something Leeds have never done to beat West Ham

Ao Tanaka deserves pay rise, tiny salary compared to teammates

One thing Leeds could do off the pitch is hand an Elland Road favourite a new deal. There are certainly a few contracts that need sorting out, with many of Farke’s senior stars seeing their deals end in 2027.

There are also some players now earning far less than some of their teammates. One example is Jayden Bogle, who is earning £30,000 a week at Leeds and given he is one of the first picks, he deserves a deal.

As does Ao Tanaka. One of the more-beloved members of Farke’s side among Leeds supporters, the Japan star remains on a measly £25,000 a week, as per Capology. Tanaka is worried about game time.

He still has a deal until 2028, but he is only just earning above half of Brenden Aaronson’s £45,000-a-week salary. Tanaka deserves a pay rise and Leeds fans deserve some good news. It makes sense.

The Leeds players out of contract in 2026 and 2027

There were five Leeds players out of contract in 2026, before Patrick Bamford was released. The four that remain are goalkeeping trio Illan Meslier, Alex Cairns and Karl Darlow, as well as defender Sam Byram.

It is unclear if any of those four will get a new deal, before things become a bit more complicated in 2027.Leeds have six players set to enter the final 18 months of their deal come the January window.

The most-notable member of that group is captain Ethan Ampadu, while regulars Brenden Aaronson and Pascal Struijk also have deals until June 2027. Plenty of work for Adam Underwood to do, off the pitch.