Leeds United appear to be closing in on signing number seven of the summer after one of their targets missed training with his club.
The Whites could make as many as three new additions before Friday’s 11pm deadline, though the clock is ticking for them to get who they want.
Full-back, central midfield and a new attacker appear to be the positions in which they are looking to strengthen but they do face a race against time to ensure all business is completed.
Amid interest in Gustavo Hamer and Roland Sallai, it feels like Leeds are keen to make one real marquee addition in that number 10 position, particularly given Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray have all been sold.
However, it is equally important that a new backup full-back and attack-minded number eight are signed too, positions Daniel Farke has been wanting for a while now.
- READ MORE: International defender wants to join Leeds United with Daniel Farke pushing to sign him on loan
New development emerges in Leeds’ Ao Tanaka pursuit
With their pursuit of FC Koln’s Dejan Ljubicic all but over, Leeds have turned their attentions towards another Bundesliga 2 midfielder in recent days.
Leeds are in talks with Fortuna Dusseldorf over Japan international Ao Tanaka having also tried to sign him last summer, before opting for other targets.
Reports have suggested Leeds are willing to trigger a release clause in Tanaka‘s contract to get the deal done, though it would actually appear that is not the case and negotiations will have to take place.
However, a new update from Bild would suggest things are moving in the right direction after Tanaka missed training with Fortuna this morning.
While the official version from the club is that he is simply unable to train, it certainly comes at interesting timing with a ‘concrete offer’ on the table for both Fortuna and Tanaka to consider.
It is said that Tanaka’s move to Leeds could well be finalised ‘very soon’ with talks seemingly at an advanced stage.
Who is Leeds target Ao Tanaka?
Tanaka – who was hailed as ‘incredible‘ by Kieran McKenna after a pre-season friendly in July – would certainly fit the profile of the goalscoring midfielder Farke is keen to sign, having netted seven goals and provided four assists last season.
The 25-year-old is a full Japan international and has been capped on 27 occasions by his country, scoring eight times.
At the reported fee, Tanaka would represent a real bargain for Leeds and would provide plenty of competition for the likes of Joe Rothwell and Ilia Gruev.
He has already played three full 90 minutes’ for Fortuna Dusseldorf this season and so would be ready to hit the ground running.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
