Leeds United must proceed with caution despite positive Ao Tanaka update
The transfer window for Leeds United has been like something from a very, very…very long television drama.
It feels scarcely believable that only a few months have passed since the Whites were relegated from the Premier League.
Since then, the 49ers Enterprises have been confirmed as the club’s new owners, and Daniel Farke was appointed as the man tasked with orchestrating an immediate return to the top flight.
But among it all, there have been a plethora of exits on loan thanks to some baffling exit clauses implemented into contracts by the previous regime, others have left on full deals, while Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra did their best to try and force their way out too.
Amid all the noise, there has been some quietly excellent business done too. Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Sam Byram, Ethan Ampadu and Joel Piroe have all signed on, while Djed Spence is also said to be very close to joining on loan.
And, according to reports, a deal for Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder Ao Tanaka is also on the cards.
This is a deal where Leeds should proceed with caution, though.
It emerged on Tuesday that Tanaka had hobbled out of training following a collision with team-mate Felix Klaus, something that the Rheinische Post said would cause “horror” among the management.
An update from the club later in the day offered a more positive update, with their official Twitter account posting: “After shock, chaos and worry, I have the all-clear for you
“Ao Tanaka can take part in team training again tomorrow after his collision in training today. There is no structural injury.”
On the surface this is good news for everyone and a deal can progress. But for Leeds it is a reminder to tread carefully, make sure the player is fully it, then go ahead if everything is all clear.
Leeds are quietly going about doing some excellent work at the minute, even amid all the chaos, and the last thing they can afford is any misstep in the transfer market.
At 24 years old and with 19 caps for Japan to his name, there is no doubting the credentials of the player at all…but there is no need to be hasty, the clock is winding on the transfer window but that should not cause anyone to panic.
In other Leeds United news, the club are open to selling Georginio Rutter to Lyon on one condition.