Leeds United fans will be focused on arrivals at Elland Road this summer. This comes after the ownership assured them that the team will invest on the pitch.
Daniel Farke also asked the 49ers to show ambition if they want him to stay long term.
But with the new Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rules, Leeds will have to sell to balance their books. This has already been seen with the departure of Pascal Struijk to Brighton last month.
And with more signings planned after Tarik Muharemovic’s £34 million move, expect more departures.
Isaac Schmidt’s departure was confirmed this week, as he left the Whites to join Young Boys – a deal which the club did not make a financial loss on.
Graham Smyth thinks Leeds United star could leave this summer
Leeds United are also planning moves for the likes of Shea Charles and a new goalkeeper.
This could mean some players could leave in order to offset the transfer fees that will be spent. According to Graham Smyth on his Q&A about the transfer window, he thinks Ao Tanaka could make way if Charles is signed.
”Ao Tanaka is one who will get offers this summer, undoubtedly and what he said about considering leaving in January makes me think he’s a prime candidate.”
”He came for peanuts and is plainly worth far more now.”
”Leeds want Shea Charles, a central midfielder. They have Ethan Ampadu, who is going nowhere. They have Anton Stach, who is going nowhere. There’s Ilia Gruev, who one would imagine will be harder to shift than Tanaka due to his injury status in the second half of last season, and Sean Longstaff.”
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Leeds should consider cashing in on Ao Tanaka
Leeds fans might disagree, but it may be in the club’s interest to sell Ao Tanaka.
He is clearly not a favourite under Farke since the team was promoted. It took a major injury to Ilia Gruev and poor form from Sean Longstaff for the Japanese international to get minutes at the tail end of the season.
And with Shea Charles possibly on the way, he might find himself further down the pecking order.
Tanaka showed his quality when he did play last season, and already has admirers since he declared he wanted to leave in January.
If Leeds United do get a sizeable fee for the 27-year old, the best option would be to take it.
AO must stay, he has showed his class when given the oppurtunity. All Leeds supporters that l know say he should be the first choice.Please stop making negative comments about him.