Leeds United told to pay £3.3m as Ao Tanaka transfer U-turn emerges in Germany
Leeds United target Ao Tanaka does not have a release clause in his contract at Fortuna Dusseldorf, according to BILD.
The German newspaper reported via their website on 27 August that while the 25-year-old midfielder is in the final year of his contract at the 2. Bundesliga club, Leeds might have to pay his market value of £3.3million to sign him.
The Daily Mail reported earlier on Wednesday that Tanaka has a £2.65million release clause in his deal at Fortuna and that talks had been started about a potential deal. The Mail even reported that the Japan international could jet into the UK to finalise a move to Elland Road on Wednesday night.
BILD reports that Fortuna were set on keeping Tanaka and extending his contract. However, it seems there’s been a U-turn in Germany with the Dusseldorf club now potentially cashing in on the former Kawasaki Frontale star.
Leeds United in bid to sign Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf
Tanaka is someone who’s been linked with Leeds before.
As per BILD, the Whites made a move to sign the Japanese central midfielder last summer but an email to Fortuna bosses was ignored.
It is understood that things “could quickly become very heated” between Leeds, Fortuna and Tanaka this time around though, with the Mail’s report suggesting that a deal is quite advanced.
Leeds fans should be quite excited by this signing because Tanaka is someone who offers a lot of attacking threat from the middle of the park.
The Bundesliga website reported in December 2022 that Tanaka “plays a bit like” Jude Bellingham because of his all-round play. He’s said to be a great box-to-box midfielder who’s also seen as an on-field leader.
Even if that release clause story isn’t exactly right, a player at Tanaka’s age, with his billing and status, he could be quite the steal for £3.3million.
In other Leeds United news, Fabrizio Romano has sent a personal message to a player who’s now agreed to sign for the Whites.
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