Kieran McKenna’s comments about Ao Tanaka in July are now interesting with Leeds close to signing him

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Leeds United are reportedly closing in on a move for Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder Ao Tanaka.

Tanaka could well end up being signing number seven of the summer with reports suggesting Leeds are ready to trigger his release clause of £2.65 million after making contact in the last 24 hours.

The 25-year-old is a player Leeds were keen on last summer before signing Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev, but with the former now gone, a new number eight has again entered the radar.

At that reported price tag, that would be a real bargain for Leeds given he is a fully fledged Japan international with eight goals in 27 appearances.

Tanaka also netted seven times for Fortuna Dusseldorf last season and would therefore add the goals Daniel Farke‘s side were lacking from midfield.

• READ MORE: Sheffield United now ahead of Leeds in race to sign ‘quality’ Premier League player

Kieran McKenna comments about Tanaka in July bode well for Leeds

Tanaka has taken part in a full pre-season, as well as all of Fortuna’s opening three matches of the campaign, and so will be ready to hit the ground running at Leeds.

One of their friendly matches actually brought them over to England to face one of Leeds’ promotion rivals from the 2023/24 season, Ipswich Town.

Fortuna actually ran out 2-1 winners over the Tractor Boys at Portman Road, and after the match manager Kieran McKenna was asked to pick one player from the visitors’ squad to sign.

McKenna responded immediately and said it would be Tanaka, suggesting that anyone with any knowledge of football scouting is aware of what an ‘incredible’ player he is.

Via GOAL, he said: “Midfielder Ao Tanaka. Anyone who is serious about football will know a little about him. He has incredible technique. But there are other good players at Fortuna, too.”

• READ MORE: Leeds United could be about to make the Championship’s signing of the summer

Tanaka has been compared to Jude Bellingham in the past

Tanaka is exactly the sort of box-to-box midfielder Farke is looking for due to the previously mentioned goal threat he can provide from that position.

In fact, just less than a couple of years ago, Tanaka’s playing style was actually compared to that of Jude Bellingham, who has developed into one of the world’s best goalscoring midfielders.

The Bundesliga website wrote: “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.”