Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Fri 8 May 2026 8:40, UK

Leeds United are surely planning on keeping Ao Tanaka after dismissing a possible move for Sporting CP midfielder Hidemasa Morita.

The two Japanese compatriots’ futures seem to be linked ahead of the summer, as the 27-year-old struggles for regular game time in LS11.

Morita has been touted as an option at Elland Road, but sources at the Whites have insisted that a potential move for the 30-year-old is a non-starter due to his age and profile.

Daniel Farke is close to securing Premier League safety at the West Yorkshire outfit and will surely have big plans for recruitment ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Tanaka’s influence at Elland Road has increased in recent months and the German manager may yet have a place for him in his plans in LS11.

Ao Tanaka frustration understandable at Leeds United

Tanaka has been in and out of the starting lineup at Leeds this season after a heroic debut season in the Championship.

The Japan international was one of Farke’s pillars in the push for promotion, but his prospects have since dwindled in the Premier League.

With Ilia Gruev out injured and Anton Stach playing in a more advanced midfield role, the former Fortuna Dusseldorf star has been given opportunities in recent matches and taken them with both hands.

At the moment, it feels like Tanaka is going nowhere once the transfer window opens, but it remains to be seen how the West Yorkshire outfit decide to strengthen their squad to make further progress in the English top flight.

Daniel Farke to have no concerns about one position at Elland Road

Going into the summer, Leeds clearly need to improve and add depth to multiple positions in the squad, including possibly signing a new goalkeeper, centre-back, left-back, and striker.

Farke surely has a lot on his plate at the Whites, but he may not be worried about his options in the middle of the park.

Ethan Ampadu, Stach, Tanaka, Ilia Gruev and Sean Longstaff give the German manager plenty of quality in depth in the engine room.

The Japan international has become a fan favourite at the West Yorkshire outfit due to his energy and tenacity, and it would make sense to keep him for the foreseeable future.