Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka has reportedly attracted interest from a trio of German clubs.
The 27-year-old cut his teeth in his native Japan with Kawasaki Frontale before making the leap into European football in Germany.
It was his exploits in the colours of Fortuna Dusseldorf that attracted Leeds and convinced them to secure his services in the summer of 2024.
He was a crucial cog in the Leeds machine last season, starring as the Whites clinched the Championship title.
However, he has been a bit-part player in the Premier League and managed just seven league starts this term.
Leeds United's Ao Tanaka has found Premier League opportunities limited this season.placeholder image
Leeds United's Ao Tanaka has found Premier League opportunities limited this season. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
‘Interest’ in Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka
According to TEAMtalk, Tanaka has attracted interest from three clubs in Germany. Second-tier outfits Schalke 04 and Hannover 96 are said to be keen, while he is also thought to have been looked at by Bundesliga side Union Berlin.
Interest from the latter has been described as tentative, although Schalke and Hannover are believed to have firm interest.
Leeds are reportedly yet to decide whether or not to part with Tanaka and his future could be decided by the outcome of the club’s battle for Premier League survival.
If the Whites do suffer relegation, Tanaka would most likely be earmarked as an important figure for the promotion tilt.
The midfielder is a popular figure at Elland Road and fans would most likely view his exit as a shame.
He has not always imposed himself on Premier League games but his stellar display in the season opener against Everton highlighted the quality he possesses.
Ao Tanaka was a key figure in Leeds United's Championship title-winning campaign.placeholder image
Ao Tanaka was a key figure in Leeds United's Championship title-winning campaign. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Ao Tanaka’s lack of action assessed
Smith said: “I feel like it's a difficult league, isn't it? I feel like there's not many people that come out of pure obscurity, sign for a club in the Championship and then go on to do incredibly well in the Premier League.
“But he's chipped in at vital moments, the goal against Liverpool. He's probably the one that's got something a little bit different. We've got such a working workmanlike central midfield.
“He's kind of the only one that might give us a little bit of something else, but you can't always fit those people in your team either.
Ao Tanaka has struggled for starts in the Premier League but helped Leeds United knock Birmingham City out of the FA Cup last month.placeholder image
Ao Tanaka has struggled for starts in the Premier League but helped Leeds United knock Birmingham City out of the FA Cup last month. | Jacob King/PA Wire
“There's a right time to play him and a right time not to. It's one of those where it's easy when you watch him, we're all experts going, ‘should do this, should do that’.
“But the difficulty is being able to go and produce that when you're relatively new to a league as well.”