Leeds United may have to do battle with one of Daniel Farke’s old sides if they are to win the race to sign a midfielder that was originally linked with Elland Road last summer.
Leeds lack depth in the middle of the park with Archie Gray and Ethan Ampadu recently occupying roles in defence. Jamie Shackleton is expected to leave the club on a free, with his contract ending on the 30th.
It leaves just Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara as options and while The 49ers are likely to want to address the right-back position and perhaps, try to re-sign Joe Rodon and another centre-back, a midfield is needed.
Last summer, The Whites tabled an offer of £3.2m to sign Japan star Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf. Tanaka remained with the second-tier German outfit, and they have since failed to go up in the play-offs.
Reports state that Leeds are interested in Tanaka once again alongside a host of other clubs including Everton. Now, a German reporter has indicated that one of Daniel Farke’s old teams want to sign Tanaka.
Farke’s old side want Leeds target Tanaka but are not close
Largely an attacking midfielder, 25-year-old Tanaka would provide cover in either the no.6 role alongside Gruev or even be used as a no.10. It comes after having a hand in 12 goals for Dusseldorf during 2023-24.
Tanaka also won seven Japan caps last season, scoring an impressive five goals and laying on an assist. He scored a brace in a 4-1 win over Canada, where Jesse Marsch has since taken over as the Nation’s gaffer.
German reporter Christopher Michel reported on X over the weekend that Farke’s old side Gladbach want to lure Tanaka to the top tier of German football, but that a deal for the Japan star is not ‘close’.
He said: “Tanaka to BMG? Interest, but no agreement has been reached. According to our information, it is therefore not close to being concluded. It is also not yet clear whether the deal will work out at all.”
Tanaka earned comparisons with England star Jude Bellingham
It was a great weekend for Real Madrid and England star Bellingham, as he lifted the Champions League trophy following a 2-0 win over former side Borussia Dortmund at the home of English football, Wembley.
Tanaka’s form in Germany since moving to Dusseldorf and certainly his performances in the first tier prior to Dusseldorf’s relegation saw the league’s website compare him to Bellingham. Here is what they said:
“Tanaka goes box to box, is emerging as an on-field leader like Jude Bellingham. He cleans up from deep – averaging almost nine tackles won per Bundesliga 2 game in 2022/23 – and get forward when possible.”
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