Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Wed 25 March 2026 12:10, UK

Ao Tanaka will surely hope his performances for Japan could potentially change Daniel Farke’s mind at Leeds United.

The midfielder could feature for the Samurai Blue against Scotland and England in the upcoming March friendlies.

At the Whites, the 27-year-old has struggled to secure regular game time under the German manager and international duty will undoubtedly be a welcome distraction for him.

Tanaka’s influence at Elland Road has diminished since the previous campaign and the Japanese ace doesn’t have much time to change Farke’s mind in LS11 before the summer.

Leeds United to sanction Ao Tanaka sale for Daniel Farke

A lot of Leeds’ summer transfer business will certainly depend on whether they can avoid Premier League relegation this season.

If the Whites maintain their top-flight status, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a mini-overhaul at Elland Road, with 49ers Enterprises needing to invest heavily in the squad.

The American owners must back Farke if he can help the West Yorkshire outfit survive that drop.

German clubs want Tanaka and it would make sense for the Peacocks to sell the midfielder rather than keep someone unhappy at the club.

The Japanese must surely be fed up with his situation in LS11 and may have one last chance to let the German manager know what he’s capable of with his national side.

In the last eight Premier League games, Tanaka has come off the bench once, making opportunities with the Samurai Blue a chance to make a statement.

Ao Tanaka future looks bleak at Elland Road

Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach and Brenden Aaronson seem to be Farke’s preferred midfield trio at Leeds since switching to the 5-3-2 formation.

Tanaka is also competing with the likes of Ilia Gruev and Sean Longstaff for minutes off the bench.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Whites add more quality to their engine room in the summer if they are still in the Premier League.

The Japan international doesn’t seem to have a significant role at the West Yorkshire outfit and it would make sense for him to leave Elland Road for pastures new.