Leeds United are set to complete the signing of Japanese international Ao Tanaka today for a fee of £3.4 million (€4 million), according to journalist Florian Plettenberg.
After facing a second successive summer of disruption, where the Whites have had to contend with heightened interest in their players, Daniel Farke is aiming to use the last two days of the transfer window to strengthen his squad. They have lost key players such as Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray, although have made six additions thus far.
Those that have arrived through the door have been made with the departures in mind. Joe Rodon was brought back after his successful loan spell last season, whilst Jayden Bogle adds cover at right-back following Gray’s move to Tottenham Hotspur. However, the teenager also deputised in the centre of midfield.
This is where Tanaka comes in. Joe Rothwell will add experience but the early stages of this season hint that his role could be mainly from the substitutes bench. Tanaka is a player who Leeds have held a long-term interest in and reportedly made a bid last summer. The transfer didn’t materialise, with the 25-year-old remaining in Germany.
The midfielder joined 2.Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf on loan with an option to buy in 2021. Having made 30 appearances in all competitions, he made the move permanent a year later. He has since made just under 100 outings for the club, scoring 10 and assisting eight.
This form has also seen him become a staple of the Japan national team, where he has earned 27 caps. His crowning moment perhaps came at the 2022 World Cup when he scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over current European champions Spain.
According to Plettenberg, Tanaka will arrive at Elland Road today to complete his medical whilst also penning a four-year deal.
🚨🆕 Ao #Tanaka will join Leeds United with immediate effect ✔️
▫️Medical today
▫️Contract until 2028.Fortuna Düsseldorf will receive €4m for the 25 y/o versatile midfielder. Top player. #LUFC @SkySportDE 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/W3dgLi0B1J
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 29, 2024
Writer’s View
There is always a risk when it comes to signing players that have never played in the English leagues, but Leeds have done their homework on Tanaka. They have been interested in the midfielder for a long time and the fact that they have returned to the table for the second successive summer shows this is someone they were desperate to bring to Elland Road.
It could be a busy 24 hours or so for the Yorkshire club. They are armed with a significant transfer kitty following the big money sales of the past month, but they won’t buy for the sake of buying. Daniel Farke has a strong squad already, his signings have been good and Tanaka could be the final piece of the jigsaw which sees them achieve automatic promotion this season.
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