Ao Tanaka is expected to be on the move in the ongoing campaign, as the Japanese international has gone down the pecking order at Leeds United. Additionally, he has not had enough game time of late.
According to a report from German outlet Fussball Transfers, four German clubs are keen on his signature, but they are unlikely to get their hands on Tanaka, as he is keen on staying in the Premier League.
Schalke 04, SC Freiburg, Hannover 96, and Union Berlin have all been keeping tabs on the 27-year-old and would love to sign him ahead of next season. However, the player is currently leaning towards staying in England.
Ao Tanaka made the move to Leeds United in the summer of 2024 from Fortuna Dusseldorf in a deal worth €4 million. The player enjoyed an exceptional debut campaign, as he played a big part in their promotion to the top flight.
However, things have not been ideal for him this time around. The versatile midfielder has racked up just over 1,000 minutes of first-team action in his 25 outings in the ongoing campaign. He has gone down the pecking order following the arrival of Anton Stach.
The Japanese international is not pleased about his situation, and he looks set to push for a move away from Leeds United in the summer despite having two years left on his deal. With him available, a host of top clubs have showcased interest in the 27-year-old.
While there are clubs in England that want him, Schalke 04, SC Freiburg, Hannover 96, and Union Berlin seem determined to bring him back to Germany. They have been keeping tabs on Tanaka and waiting for the chance to make a move.
But it seems they will have to shift their focus elsewhere, as Tanaka wants to continue in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Leeds are ready to sanction his departure, but they are looking to make a significant profit. The Yorkshire-based outfit want between €10-12 million for the 27-year-old.
