Leeds United have done some really good recruitment over the last two seasons. The most important period arguably came last summer, where the club sought new faces to help their promotion bid.
The start of the summer window last year was not that great, with Jayden Bogle the only ‘big’ signing that arrived at Elland Road. But Leeds pushed for a flurry of signings at the end of the window. This included two players that Daniel Farke personally pushed for.
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Manor Solomon arrived from Spurs on loan, and Ao Tanaka joined the club for a reported £3.4million. These two would become two key players in the promotion run later that season.
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Ao Tanaka eyed by Premier League clubs
Ao Tanaka
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Tanaka is now arguably one of the best players in a Leeds United shirt and has stamped his name onto the first team. He was exceptional last season during the promotion campaign and was voted Players’ player of the year. Tanaka’s campaign this year has not gotten off to the best of starts due to an injury he picked up, but he has already impressed.
This has been noticed by clubs like Bournemouth and Brentford, who have been keeping an eye on the Japanese international. According to TEAMtalk, both teams had been following the midfielder for a large part of last year. If Leeds are to succumb to relegation this season, the 27-year old could be one of the first players to be picked up.
Tanaka already said that he considered leaving the club if they failed to win promotion last year:
“Yes, there was. Of course, there was also the view that if I was doing so well in the games, I could move up even if we weren’t promoted”, the midfielder said to GOAL.
“However, I was well aware that transferring isn’t easy, so I was determined to get promoted.”
This is a crucial season for Leeds United
Survival is the main target this year, and not even for on the field purposes. The 49ers have already had their plans for the club’s future leaked, and the only way they reach their goal is to continue in the Premier League.
If the Whites go back down to the Championship, it puts a huge dent in the ownership’s plans. And on the pitch, Leeds could be forced to sell their best players, including Tanaka due to PSR.
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