On Tuesday, the UK press reported Leeds United have made contact with Fortuna Düsseldorf for Ao Tanaka.
This claim has reached Germany, specifically Bild, who provide their own take on this case.
Leeds’ interest in the 25-year-old isn’t new as they tried to sign him last summer.
Bild point that out and add that the Whites didn’t make progress, after making initial contact with the German club. They have now found out that Daniel Farke’s side are again interested in signing him.
The Championship club are working to secure the Japan international’s services. Tanaka is valued at €4m, but Fortuna Düsseldorf won’t be able to collect that because he has less than a year left on his deal.
Leeds will have to negotiate a deal with the second division German club as the midfielder doesn’t have a release clause. It’s not clear whether Fortuna Düsseldorf are ready to let him leave before the window closes on Friday.
If they do, Bild say Fortuna Düsseldorf will have to immediately sign a replacement. The case involving Tanaka and Leeds ‘could quickly become very hot’. This indicates there’s a good chance the player to move to Elland Road.
Leeds can take advantage of Tanaka’s contract situation to sign him for less than €4m. In other words, the English club are in line to secure an affordable deal.
