Ao Tanaka wants to sign for Leeds United before the transfer window shuts on Friday, according to Sacha Tavolieri.
The Belgian journalist reported via his personal X account on Wednesday night (28 August) that Leeds are still “in negotiations” to make a deal happen with Fortuna Dusseldorf before 11pm on 30 August.
It is understood that talks are ongoing with the Whites having just over 48 hours left to seal any further business.
Leeds United continue to work on last-ditch Ao Tanaka signing from Fortuna Dusseldorf
There have been mixed messages about Leeds’ bid to sign Tanaka.
Daniel Farke is said to be a big fan of the former Kawasaki Frontale midfielder [Yorkshire Evening Post] but reports from Germany suggest that Fortuna will be happy to cash it on him.
Rheinische Post claimed on 28 August that the Dusseldorf midfielder isn’t wanted by anyone other than the Whites even though he’s in the last year of his contract.
He’s also said to have gone missing in the promotion play-off final defeat to VfL Bochum at the end of last season, his form has been inconsistent and he’s had injury problems.
But, on the other hand, you have Farke trying for a second summer in a row to sign the Japan international, who scored against Spain at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Bundesliga’s website has also compared the Japanese box-to-box midfielder to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
While Leeds fans would be happy with someone who’s half as good as the England superstar, the mixed reviews are a bit unsettling.
In other Leeds United news, contract talks have been held for a forward who the Whites want to sign as well as Tanaka.
Leave a Reply