Leeds United withdraw from Ao Tanaka pursuit as ‘disagreement’ at Elland Road sees Daniel Farke overruled
There is no longer a “valid” offer from Leeds United to sign Ao Tanaka as there is “disagreement” at the club that he is the right candidate, according to Rheinische Post.
The German paper reported via their website Wednesday (30 August) that despite the Japanese international being given the “all-clear” following an MRI on a potential training ground injury a day earlier the Whites have withdrawn from tabling an official bid despite making initial offers.
According to Rheinische Post it was Daniel Farke who wanted to sign the 24-year-old but the “squad-planner” at Elland Road did not agree, which has left Tanaka in an “awkward” position thanks to his own “drive to leave” Fortuna Dusseldorf, as well as a potential need to “save face” over the failed move.
Bild had reported over the weekend (27 August) that the Whites had offered to pay £2.31million for the “World Cup hero” but, in the wake of the dramatic collapse to another Germany-based midfielder – Nadiem Amiri – it looks like the club are now out of the race for Tanaka as well.
Hard stop
A cheap deal for a player who wants to move, and was specifically targeted by the manager, sounds like the perfect situation for Leeds United when there is so little time before the deadline.
But if the injury didn’t ultimately derail proceedings it looks like a difference of opinion at Elland Road has instead, leaving the Whites to pursue multiple other options instead.
Both Kenny McLean at Norwich City and Matt O’Riley at Celtic look difficult to get done without the cooperation of their clubs despite bids, and for some reason Glen Kamara still hasn’t arrived from Rangers.
Developments appear to be moving fast for yet another option from Germany, with Werder Bremen’s Ilian Gruev missing from training on Wednesday for contract talks as Phil Hay of The Athletic reported an offer had been made.
The “squad planner” who appears to have overruled Farke’s hopes of signing Tanaka likely refers to technical director Gretar Steinsson, or possibly advisor Nick Hammond.
There doesn’t seem to be any indication of wider clashes within the recruitment staff but if Farke ends up without the right number of reinforcements he might be unhappy at having one of his own targets discounted.
The manager made clear he wanted to be heavily involved in recruitment and wasn’t going to be a head coach, so his say carries weight, but either he has been convinced otherwise here or other voices carry more.
In other Leeds United news, another Whites player is suddenly at risk of an exit before the deadline with four clubs after him.