Leeds United are focused on securing automatic promotion to the Premier League with eight games left in the season. The squad will undergo a major overhaul if they are in the top flight next season but failure to do so will also lead to an exodus of major players from Elland Road in the summer transfer window.
The Whites squad will reassemble next week to prepare for their Championship clash against Swansea City at Elland Road a week from Saturday.
Leeds will be looking to get back to their best after a patchy run of form that saw them win only two of their last five games in the league as they push towards ensuring they get promoted to the Premier League.
The Whites need the Premier League this season after losing the playoff final last year and failure to do so will have major consequences, which could involve the club losing a fan-favourite player in the summer transfer window.
‘If I were Leeds United I would be worried’ – Journalist
Ao Tanaka is in line to be the Player of the Year this season at Leeds and was probably the best signing made in the four divisions of English football last summer.
Brought in from Fortuna Dusseldorf for £3m last year, he has been Leeds’ best player this season and his performances have only got better over the course of the campaign.
Graeme Bailey indicated Leeds have no reasons to worry about losing the player if they get promoted but stressed the failure to do so could see him leave Elland Road.
He insisted Tanaka came to Leeds last year with the understanding that he would be a Premier League player soon and that has been his goal.
“I don’t believe so, but there is that caveat, if they get promoted – if they didn’t go up then yes they should be worried but if not I don’t see an issue”, Bailey told EFL Analysis.
“I am told that Tanaka came to Leeds to play in the Premier League and that remains his target.”
Leeds need the Premier League to keep Tanaka
Tanaka became the first Leeds player this week to qualify for the 2026 World Cup when Japan beat Bahrain 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier.
The midfielder is gaining prominence in his country and playing in the Premier League would give him a bigger platform to showcase his talent.
He is also one of the Leeds players who are expected to excel in the top flight if they get promoted and probably has been the best midfielder in the Championship this season.
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If Leeds do not get promoted, it would be no surprise if several Premier League clubs push to snare him away from Elland Road in the summer window.
Ahead of a World Cup year, it is natural Tanaka wants to play in the Premier League to remain in the national team’s plans for the summer extravaganza in 2026.
