Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Josh Edwards

Wed 20 May 2026 7:10, UK

Ao Tanaka had been linked with an exit from Leeds United.

And at the time, it made sense, though very few actually agreed with the stance.

The Japan international was hardly featuring under Daniel Farke at the time of the links, but since making his return to the starting 11, he has thrived.

His quality was made clear in the Championship, leaving many baffled as to why he was getting so little access to gametime in the Premier League.

However, with Tessmann linked with a move to Elland Road, there is a question to be asked.

Are Leeds still considering selling Ao Tanaka?

Anyone of a Leeds persuasion will certainly hope not, though it’s very difficult to predict what Farke will do next season.

However, links surfaced this week connecting Leeds with a move for Lyon’s Tessmann, and for more than one reason, it’s a deal that would make very little sense.

The USMNT international is a defensive midfielder by trade, and yet still outperforms Tanaka in several areas.

Tessmann averages 1.34 tackles per game in Ligue 1, which places him among the bottom 19.3 per cent of midfielders, compared to Tanaka, who averages 1.75 per game in the Premier League.

Tanaka averages 9.76 defensive contributions per 90, which is almost double that of Tessmann, while also massively outperforming him in nearly every offensive attribute.

Selling one to make way for the other would make no sense, and surely can’t be what the Whites are thinking.

Tanaka has huge part to play next season

He’s shown his value in the second half of the season, and it is worth noting that it is his first season in the Premier League.

Tanaka will only get better as a result of the experience gained over the last few months, and his quality will be needed next season.

Leeds will need better depth across all areas, though the Japan international may have the midfield side of that covered.