On Wednesday morning, Ao Tanaka’s name resurfaced in connection with Leeds United, following the club’s interest in signing him during the summer transfer window of 2023.
Leeds reportedly made an offer for Tanaka, and while there was optimism about the deal, the asking price remained uncertain. Tanaka was removed from training by Fortuna Düsseldorf, with German media clarifying that this decision came from the club and not due to Tanaka’s push for a move.
According to Rheinische Post, there are strong indications that Tanaka is about to sign with Leeds United within the next few hours. This potential transfer is considered a significant win for Fortuna Düsseldorf, with RP describing it as a “stroke of luck” for the second-tier German club. They noted that a sale that once seemed unlikely is now materializing.
Fortuna had been eager to sell Tanaka for years, but various issues—such as problems with his consulting agency, his struggles to adapt to a new environment, inconsistent performances, and recurring injuries—have made him difficult to offload. This lack of market interest has led to a less favorable view of Tanaka.
While this assessment might be tinged with some frustration from Düsseldorf for not securing a higher fee earlier, it could also benefit Leeds United. Fortuna’s need to sell Tanaka to avoid losing him for free next year may have strengthened Leeds’ negotiating position.
