Leeds United are interested in signing a midfielder from Germany’s second tier in the summer window and now, his club’s stance has been reported and they are desperate to cash in.
The Whites have to cash in on a number of key players this summer in order to raise funds and help pay off the large credit card bill that The 49ers inherited from Andrea Radrizzani’s leadership last summer.
Archie Gray and Ethan Ampadu have been playing in defence of late, and that has left a lack of cover in the middle of the park. It could get worse, with Borussia Dortmund interested in signing Ilia Gruev.
Central midfield then is an area that requires strengthening at Elland Road this summer, even if Gruev does stay. One player Leeds could turn to is Japan international Ao Tanaka, who was linked last summer.
Dusseldorf stance on Leeds target Ao Tanaka this summer
Reports say that Leeds are interested in signing 25-year-old Tanaka, after having a £3.2m bid rejected last summer. A player that has been compared to Jude Bellingham in the past having starred over in Germany.
Dusseldorf failed to gain promotion via the play-offs from Germany’s second tier, despite Tanaka starring during 2023-24 and having a hand in 12 goals from the middle of the park and he looks set to depart.
Reports say he has played his last game for Dusseldorf, with a fee of £3m needed. Now, Bild claim his side want to sell the “leader” before the end of the month so they can spend the cash on other new signings.
Dusseldorf want to do a permanent deal for on-loan Isak Johannesson but they have no cash for it, with the permanent clause active until the end of the month and therefore, needing to sell Tanaka by then.
Leeds not alone in pursuit of Tanaka with Everton also keen
Indeed, Jack Harrison’s loan side are also keen on Tanaka as a possible low-cost arrival at Goodison Park. But the chances are, he might struggle to start under Sean Dyche given their options in central midfield.
A number of German clubs including Bundesliga champions Leverkusen are also admirers of Tanaka, as are Daniel Farke’s old team Gladbach. Tanaka has a big decision to make this summer, with Leeds keen.