Leeds United Considering Ao Tanaka’s Departure
Leeds United may be on the verge of parting with Japanese midfielder Ao Tanaka this summer, as the club remains receptive to discussions about his future.
TEAMtalk reports that the 27-year-old is a sought-after player among several German clubs, with Leeds willing to entertain offers that meet their valuation.
Interest from German Teams Grows for Tanaka
Tanaka’s most likely destination appears to be Germany, where he enjoys a strong reputation following his successful period in the 2. Bundesliga.
Schalke 04 and Hannover 96 are reportedly leading the interest, both teams currently engaged in a competitive promotion battle.
Schalke holds the top position in the 2. Bundesliga with 52 points, while Hannover sits in fifth place, just three points away from automatic promotion.
Both clubs consider Tanaka a viable option to strengthen their squads as they aim for a return to the top tier.
Additionally, Union Berlin has shown tentative interest, viewing Tanaka as a potential option to enhance their midfield depth.
Tanaka’s Challenges at Leeds United This Season
Despite being a fan favorite during the club’s promotion push, Tanaka has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League.
He joined Leeds from Fortuna Düsseldorf last summer for a fee of £2.9 million and played a key role in the Championship-winning campaign.
However, since returning to the Premier League, he has found himself on the outskirts of Daniel Farke’s starting lineup due to injuries and a decline in performance.
This season, Tanaka has only made seven starts, frequently coming on as a late substitute.
His statistics reflect his struggles, having scored just two goals and no assists in 26 appearances this season.
While earlier reports indicated that Leeds United did not plan to allow Tanaka to leave, the latest developments suggest the club might consider capitalizing on the interest in the Japanese international.
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