Leeds United have reportedly agreed a fee with Fortuna Dusseldorf to sign midfielder Ao Tanaka. The Whites were linked with the Japanese international when Daniel Farke initially took over as head coach last year, but a move did not materialize.
Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany reported that Tanaka is on a flight to England to put pen to paper on a four-year deal. The fee is said to be around €4million.
Tanaka would become the latest addition to the Leeds United squad after the arrivals of Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon.
Ramazani arrived on a permanent deal from Almeria while Manor Solomon joined on loan from Tottenham.
Leeds not done in the transfer market after Ao Tanaka
According to Graham Smyth, the arrival of Tanaka at Leeds United will be followed by more signings as Daniel Farke looks to replenish his squad.
“Ao Tanaka flying this morning for a medical. Leeds United hopeful of completing that one today. Also expecting movement on other business today in order to complete tomorrow. The hope is for three. Tanaka, full-back and another. No guarantees obviously.” he posted on X.
Leeds United lost key players this window and have done a decent job so far at replacing them. Crysencio Summerville left to join West Ham, and Brighton triggered a release clause to sign Georginio Rutter.
Farke was not pleased after losing two of his key players weeks before the season started:
“I am the face of the club and it is my job to speak for the club and defend the club,” he said.
“We have to stick as Leeds United all together, it is us against the world.
“I am here to bring the stability. Nobody is to be blamed from our key people. Nobody was there when these exit clauses were signed. We all would have preferred to keep our best players. It is better to build a squad step by step, but we have a new reality. I am here to answer those questions.”
Wilfried Gnonto set to stay
Graham Smyth also added that Wilfried Gnonto could stay at the club, with no real offers on the table for the Leeds forward:
“And it’s still all quiet on the Willy front as things stand. Ideally it’ll stay that way. Keeping him feels really important. Could well see someone trying it on with a late bid.”
Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United EFL Sky Bet Championship 23/08/2024. Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto 29 gestures and reacts at full time towards fans during the EFL Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United at Hillsborough, Sheffield, England on 23 August 2024. Sheffield Hillsborough South Yorkshire England Editorial use only DataCo restrictions apply See www.football-dataco.com , Copyright: xMalcolmxBrycex PSI-20249-0295
It would be a huge blow to lose Gnonto, someone who Daniel Farke believes could be key to Leeds United’s season after losing key players:
“We work a lot with him individually and show him different scenes. He was, at times, unplayable. He’s still a young player and can be a bit smarter to handle some situations on the pitch. A step forward from him but one we expect from a player of his calibre.”
