Graham Smyth shares ‘Scandalous’ Ao Tanaka transfer claim at Leeds United
Graham Smyth has credited Leeds United for paying under the odds for Ao Tanaka labelling his transfer fee as “scandalous.”
Tanaka offered another strong performance on Saturday (1 February) as his side beat Cardiff City 7-0, with the midfielder contributing two assists.
It has been an excellent debut campaign for the 26-year-old, who joined from Fortuna Dusseldorf in the summer for a reported fee of £2.95million (The Athletic, August 2024).
Writing for the Yorkshire Evening Post, Smyth praised Tanaka for what he’s added to the Whites as he said: “Another player who will surely lift an individual award or two come the summer.
“He just oozes class and almost every performance is a reminder of just how scandalous his transfer fee was. It looks worse and worse for his former club as the season goes on, and better and better for Leeds’ recruitment team and negotiators.
“Cardiff just couldn’t get near him. A performance that should not be overlooked in the attacking football and goal spree. He looked a cut above against the Cardiff players.”
Ao Tanaka a shining star for Leeds United
There is no doubt that Tanaka has been a standout performer for Daniel Farke’s side this term and his contribution to the side has made him a fan favourite at Elland Road.
The midfielder contributed another strong performance against Cardiff and, as Smyth says, he looked a level above, deserving all the praise that comes to him this term.
Given the Whites signed him for just under £3million, it speaks volumes about the level of recruitment in West Yorkshire with this deal being an absolute steal which has certainly paid off already.
As Smyth says, you can only imagine Fortuna Dusseldorf are shaking their heads at what they did in the summer while Leeds are certainly looking forward to a bright future with Tanaka.
With sights set on the Premier League this season, many of the Leeds supporters will be looking forward to their man offering more of the same in the top flight.
In other Leeds United news, a struggler could now be finished at Elland Road following a new transfer development.
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