Leeds United must ensure promotion if they want to keep Ao Tanaka
Leeds United must secure promotion to the Premier League if they are to keep Japan star Ao Tanaka.
The Whites currently sit in second place in the Championship after 19 matches, just one point ahead of Burnley.
They were denied automatic promotion in heartbreaking fashion on the final day last season despite reaching 90 points, the highest points total by a team not to get promoted in league history.
They must avoid a repeat if they are to keep Tanaka who has proved himself as a Premier League quality player in recent weeks and has attracted interest from top-flight clubs.
Leeds United ace Tanaka is too good for the Championship
The 26-year-old was thrust into a prominent role in Daniel Farke’s midfield after captain Ethan Ampadu was injured in the victory over Coventry on 28 September.
The £2.9 million fee that the Whites paid for the Japan international looks like one of the bargains of the season.
His form will make it difficult for Daniel Farke to drop him, even with Ampadu and Ilia Gruev set to return from injury in the coming weeks.
The 29-cap international has been linked with a move to the Premier League in January but the Elland Road club must resist the temptation to secure a tidy profit when the transfer window opens.
Former United goalkeeper Paul Robinson told MOT Leeds News that he thinks that they will not sell the midfielder if the opportunity arises, given how important he has been so far in their promotion push.
If they want to keep him long-term, promotion is an absolute must, he is too good to be playing in the Championship.
In other Leeds news, a key player for Farke’s side could be tempted by a move to France in January.
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.