Leeds United deal to sign Ao Tanaka done as Transfer Deadline Day announcement due
Leeds United are set to announce the signing of Ao Tanaka on the final day of the transfer window with a deal seemingly secured, according to Graham Smyth.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist reported via X late on 29 August that the Japanese midfielder “sounds done” to join from Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Daniel Farke had said earlier on the penultimate day that the Whites “definitely” still needed to bring a midfield option in but had refused to be drawn specifically on Tanaka [Leeds Live, 29 August].
The 25-year-old was already in for a medical at Thorp Arch on Thursday and is expected to sign a four-year deal [Sacha Tavolieri, 29 August].
Leeds United replace Glen Kamara for Daniel Farke
It is probably fitting that Glen Kamara is being replaced so late in the window after the Finn’s own arrival from Rangers was last gasp a year ago.
He only spent a season at Elland Road before this departure to Rennes earlier this summer but left a gap in the midfield that hadn’t been filled by the loan signing of Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth [Leeds Live, 13 July].
Archie Gray may have spent most of last term at right-back but his big-money exit Tottenham had also left Daniel Farke short in the middle so securing Tanaka addresses that.
The Whites were interested a move for the Japanese international a year ago [BILD] before signing Kamara and Ilia Gruev but have gone back for him at the second attempt.
It looks likely to be a busy Transfer Deadline Day at Elland Road, and will need to be in order to get the required replacements all in after losing so many again this summer.
But having got this far it will be a case of better late than never it everything gets done, and if the 49ers are already active in the final hours there could be some bonus arrivals.
In other Leeds United news, a high-quality potential signing has agreed personal terms to move to Elland Road but the club may have fumbled the deal.
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.