Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Thu 9 April 2026 14:40, UK

Leeds United have set a paltry price tag for Ao Tanaka, according to reports.

Tanaka has played just 765 minutes in the Premier League this season while making 25 appearances in all competitions, and clearly isn’t fully trusted by Daniel Farke.

This is despite his recent heroics in the FA Cup, with his strike from distance against West Ham helping the Whites to seal their spot in the semi-finals at Wembley.

Now, however, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has claimed that the club could look to cash in on the midfielder for as little as £8million. That would be a truly mediocre return.

Despite his limited involvement this season, he remains one of Leeds’ most talented players. Letting Tanaka go for mere pennies would be the 49ers’ biggest mistake to date.

Ao Tanaka worth at least double Leeds valuation

Leeds signed the 27-year-old for just shy of £3m from German second-tier outfit Dusseldorf in August 2024, and he has gone on to justify that outlay in style.

Last season, he netted five Championship goals and was deservedly named in the league’s Team of the Year. More crucially, he was also influential in securing the Whites’ promotion.

What then followed will have disappointed the creative Japanese international. Judging by last term’s lofty standards, he has barely featured, starting just seven times in the top-flight.

However, not even that justifies Leeds asking for a pittance. Supporters will also be deeply concerned by claims that Tanaka is open to staying in the Premier League.

Allowing Tanaka to slip through their fingers would already be a big blunder, but watching on while he joined a rival for a fee well below what he is worth would be near unforgivable.

The only glint of hope on the horizon is the prospect of the hierarchy performing a U-turn and realising they simply must keep him, regardless of whether they’re relegated.

How much should Leeds demand for Tanaka?

Of course, the bottom line is that Tanaka will have two years left on his contract this summer, while he will turn 28 in September. These are factors that will affect his price tag.

In light of his restricted minutes this season, he certainly will not command a significant valuation. Indeed, it will continue to rise and fall over the coming months, if not weeks.

But he has made the most of his all-too-brief outings this campaign, scoring twice in the Premier League. Adjusted over the course of the season, he is delivering to a high standard.

While selling him for around £8m in the summer would represent a hefty profit for the Whites, they would have every right to hold out for at least double.

Anything less, and they would be doing both the player and the supporters a disservice.