Leeds United resolve to be tested over Ao Tanaka exit amid 'significant' update

Leeds United could sanction an Ao Tanaka exit this summer.

The midfielder played a bit-part role in Daniel Farke's first season back in the Premier League.

The Japan star made 28 Premier League appearances, with a total of 1,318 minutes under his belt.

Elland Road exit speculation has continued to surround Tanaka, and a report from The Athletic on 4 June claimed that Leeds' resolve could be tested.

Tanaka is brilliant on his day, but the managers' lack of trust could ultimately see him move on.

Do Leeds want to sell Ao Tanaka?

Leeds are not actively looking to sell Tanaka, according to the report.

However, it claims that a "significant" offer may challenge that stance from the Yorkshire outfit, so an exit is possible.

Therefore, there is clearly a deal to be made that could see him depart from the LS11 club.

Whether any club can match the amount that the Whites would want, though, that is a different matter.

Who is showing interest in Tanaka?

Tanaka took plaudits in the Championship after signing from 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf.

However, he was unable to repeat those exploits in the top-flight and has fallen down the pecking order.

Reports in April claimed that the player was keen on an exit, but wanted to stay in the Premier League, if possible.

Bundesliga side and Europa League finalists SC Freiburg have also been mentioned as potential suitors for the 27-year-old.

Surely that would be the best option for the Whites, as they would not want to risk him thriving somewhere else in their own division.

It remains to be seen whether he is still a Peacocks player next season, but if he is not, he should not still be in the English game, that would have the potential to harm Leeds.

It would be much more palatable to supporters, to see him leave for an overseas side, rather than one of their rivals, and potentially help bump Farke's side down the table.

Hopefully, he can turn it around because there is a real player there when he is on top form, but if that does not happen, then a sale could be an option.