AliousFollowing their disappointing Championship playoff final defeat to Southampton, Leeds United and their co-owners 49ers Enterprises have wasted no time in making plans for the summer transfer window.
With another season in the EFL Championship now confirmed, Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe admitted there will be a turnover of players arriving and departing Elland Road ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. While financially stable to make moves, he cited the need to comply with EFL profitability and sustainability rules as potentially impacting their business.
Several of Leeds’ standout players like Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto and Archie Gray have already been linked with summer exits. However, the club has reignited their interest in a 2023 target – Japanese midfielder Ao Tanaka.
According to reports, Leeds have already enquired about signing Tanaka this summer from German side Fortuna Duesseldorf, alongside clubs like Borussia Monchengladbach, Mainz and Everton. The 25-year-old box-to-box midfielder is expected to move on after his club missed promotion to the Bundesliga.
Tanaka, who impressed at the 2022 World Cup, could provide manager Daniel Farke with versatility in midfield alongside the likes of Glen Kamara, Ilia Gruev and potentially Archie Gray if he stays. With 91 appearances in Germany’s second tier, he appears to be peaking in value.
So while top talent could depart, Leeds are working swiftly to bring in reinforcements, making an early move for long-term target Tanaka as they reload for another promotion push next season.
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