While Leeds United lost on Saturday, The Whites have enjoyed a very solid start to the 2024-25 season and with players in form comes interest from Premier League and other top-tier clubs.
Last season, four players that starred in Daniel Farke’s side earned moves to big top-tier clubs in Europe’s top-five leagues. Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter moved to the Premier League.
They have joined Tottenham, West Ham and Brighton while Glen Kamara was sold just a year after joining Leeds from Rangers, joining French giants Rennes. Premier League clubs will watch Leeds for new players.
And if they are watching, Japan midfielder Ao Tanaka will have caught the eye. The club’s October Player of the Month, Tanaka has starred since coming into the side in place of injured captain Ethan Ampadu.
Ao Tanaka’s agent on possible Premier League move in future
Tanaka is just 15 appearances into his Leeds career, starting his eleventh match at Ewood Park during Saturday’s 1-0 loss. Having starred, Saturday saw Tanaka prove he is human with his worst Leeds outing.
But even then, he still won six duels and completed 94% of his passing. But he did concede a penalty and lose nine duels, as Leeds suffered a third league loss. His agent has discussed if he’s ready for the top.
Speaking to Fussball News, Marijo Knez said it won’t be long before clubs realise Tanaka is far too good for Championship level: “I assume so. With his style, he can be good for a possession-based team.
“One that wants to play a neat style of football. Many observers may soon be asking why he only plays in the second English league. I am firmly convinced that he can make it in the Premier League,” Tanaka said.
Leeds need promotion to remove any concern of Ao Tanaka exit
Such is the position Leeds find themselves in, with the Championship’s biggest budget, failure to win promotion this season and Farke’s men will be forced to endure more summer upheaval in 2025.
Last summer, Leeds made eight permanent sales and it saw the club rake in north of £120m. In order to balance the books this time around, there will have to be more if Farke cannot deliver promotion again.
So, which players will attract interest? Tanaka might have only just got in the door at Elland Road but if the club are forced to move on a couple of assets next season, Tanaka currently is the one to attract clubs.
Hopefully, Leeds gain promotion and any incoming doubt regarding Tanaka’s future at Elland Road will cease to exist. But it is largely black and white, failure to go up and clubs will try to sign Tanaka in 2025.
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