Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Sun 29 March 2026 20:10, UK

Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka should be looking for a way out of Elland Road in the upcoming transfer window.

Daniel Farke hasn’t been able to properly utilise the Japan international properly this season, with the 27-year-old’s performance for his national side against Scotland highlighting the German manager’s failures.

Tanaka played 78 minutes in the Samurai Blue’s 1-0 win at Hampden Park on 28 March, dictating play in the engine room.

Hajime Moriyasu’s team will face England next in a friendly at Wembley and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the midfielder start again after struggling for game time at the Whites.

Tanaka’s future at Elland Road remains uncertain ahead of this summer and his situation will surely be one to keep an eye on.

Ao Tanaka game by number in Japan win vs Scotland

Tanaka took the game by the scruff of the neck and looked fresh after coming off the bench just once in Leeds’ last eight Premier League games.

The midfielder took control of the match from the first minute, taking 80 touches, completing 89 per cent of his passes and completing one successful dribble, as per Sofascore.

It was good to see the Japanese ace be effective on the ball, playing one key pass and hitting the woodwork once.

The former Fortuna Dusseldorf player was also defensively solid, winning one tackle, all four of his ground duels and one aerial duel.

At the West Yorkshire outfit, Farke’s lack of faith in Tanaka is evident, with the midfielder starting only seven Premier League fixtures and averaging 37 minutes per game.

Leeds United to be forced into Ao Tanaka sale

Tanaka is attracting interest from Germany and the Japan international has surely put himself in the shop window after his display at Hampden Park.

Farke has relied on Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach in the middle of the park, but the ex-Kawasaki Frontale ace arguably deserves more opportunities.

Brenden Aaronson has put in consistently poor performances in recent weeks and Tanaka is certainly capable of playing in place of the USMNT star.

The Japanese star brings energy and tenacity whenever he plays for Leeds and that’s something the German manager needs aplenty in the final seven league matches.