Leeds United had to edge out competition from top-flight clubs, including Scottish champions Celtic, in the race to sign Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf on transfer deadline day last week.
Fortuna Dusseldorf were not expecting to lose Tanaka in the final days of the transfer window and were taken aback when Leeds decided to meet their €4m asking price.
Tanaka arrived in West Yorkshire on deadline day and completed the formalities of the permanent transfer to Leeds from the German second-tier side.
The midfielder made his debut in a short cameo against Hull City on Saturday and has been tipped to become the ‘bargain of the summer’ for Leeds.
However, it has emerged that Leeds were not the only club chasing Tanaka and there was serious interest from top-flight clubs as well.
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Ao Tanaka was wanted at Celtic and at a big-spending Italian club
According to The Athletic, the midfielder was garnering serious interest from clubs across Europe before Leeds managed to convince him to move to Elland Road.
It has been claimed that newly promoted Serie A side Como, who have spent considerable money on some big names such as Raphael Varane and Andrea Belotti, were interested in snapping up Tanaka.
The Japan international also had suitors in Celtic who have developed a knack for picking out and signing solid Asian talent in recent years.
However, he felt that joining Leeds served his interests the best at this stage of his career despite the prospect of playing Champions League football at Celtic.
While there are suggestions that Leeds’ decision to move for Tanaka was fuelled by Daniel Farke’s annoyance at missing out on top targets, the club are confident that they have brought in a solid performer.
The midfielder will hope to break into the starting eleven after the international break as Leeds prepare for an important run of games.
