Ao Tanaka’s contract latest: Everything Leeds fans need to know amid exit speculation
Ao Tanaka could push for a Leeds United exit this summer after falling out of favour.
Daniel Farke has selected the likes of Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev over Tanaka in recent weeks, with the Japan international not playing a single Premier League minute in February.
He did not feature against Arsenal at the end of January, so he has not played in Leeds‘ last five matches in the top-flight.
MOT Leeds News looks at his contract situation with a potential Elland Road departure seemingly on the cards.
How long does Tanaka have left on his Leeds contract?
Tanaka signed a four-year contract when he signed for the Whites, and he is still on that initial deal after signing from Fortuna Dusseldorf.
That is set to keep him in LS11 until 2028, at the very earliest, so an exit may not be easy for the Japan international.
The 35-cap star may have to force his way out of the Yorkshire club if he wants regular football, which he is not getting at the moment.
What has Tanaka said about Leeds axe?
Tanaka has gone from being undroppable in the Championship, to featuring sporadically in the Premier League.
He has previously admitted that he is frustrated with the lack of playing time, after being such a key part in the Peacocks’ promotion season.
Speaking in an interview with GOAL in October, he said: “Of course, the most important thing is that I’m disappointed that I’m not playing.
“But that’s the way the Premier League is, and I feel that not only on my team, but on every team, even the players on the bench or not playing have overwhelming quality.”
What has Farke said about Tanaka?
Farke has not thrown Tanaka under the bus, by publicly claiming that he is not good enough or anything like that.
In fact, he even defended the Japan star, claiming that he is too self-critical back in October.
He said: “He doesn’t have to say something like that, not at all, because there’s no reason to be too self-critical.
“If you’re out for a few weeks and you’re back in the starting eleven for the first time – in a league that’s new to him – you’re not going to play your opponents dizzy.”
However, his selection decisions have not exactly justified those claims, and it seems like Tanaka leaving is the most probable conclusion.
The LS11 side would probably recoup a tidy profit if they decide to sell, due to the fact that the player is contracted for another two years.
They bought him for around £3million, and they will likely make a lot more if he departs Thorp Arch in the near future.
Given his lack of playing time and the fact that the manager does not seem to trust him in the top-flight, it makes sense for all parties.
For the latest on Tanaka’s situation at Leeds, check out Football Insider for the latest news and insight.