Ao Tanaka: Leeds United player wants Premier League move – Whites set price

Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka has interest from ‘several English clubs’ and is likely to stay in England this summer.

Sky Deutschland report on the Leeds midfielder today, via Fussball Transfers. According to their information, Schalke 04 face ‘stiff competition’ in the race to sign Tanaka this summer.

Reports have linked Tanaka with a move away from Leeds United this summer as he looks for regular playing time.

The 27-year-old has found himself playing a more peripheral role this season despite being a key player in Leeds’ promotion last season.

Tanaka has 21 appearances in the Premier League this season but has managed just 765 minutes in total and only seven starts.

His 22-minute appearance in the 0-0 draw with Brentford before the international break was the first time he’d managed minutes from the bench in six games.

Freiburg, Hannover 96 and Union Berlin

Several English clubs are showing interest in 27-year-old Ao Tanaka. SC Freiburg, Hannover 96 and Union Berlin are said to have already made enquiries.

However, the Japanese player is currently leaning towards staying in the Premier League at this moment in time. That’s despite his current disappointment with the situation at Leeds United.

His performances last season have clearly earned him suitors, although no English sides are named specifically.

Leeds United stance on Ao Tanaka

Leeds United are open to selling Ao Tanaka this summer. They, though, are demanding a transfer fee of €10-12m.

Schalke would like to sign the former Düsseldorf player if they are promoted to the Bundesliga. But the high price tag and Tanaka’s desire to stay in the Premier League will make a potential transfer considerably more difficult.

The German side are still in the mix, as are the others. But at the moment they appear to be pushed to the side because of Tanaka’s preference for England.

Whether that changes in the coming months, when Tanaka is likely to remain out of Daniel Farke’s plans remains to be seen. For now, it appears he is determined to remain in England should he leave Leeds United.