Leeds United have been rocked by news that one first-team star is ready to quit Elland Road this summer amid interest from the Premier League and Bundesliga.
The Whites have had a mixed season domestically and currently sit just four points above the relegation zone with seven games remaining in the top flight, while they will face off against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley later this month.
Daniel Farke's fortunes changed earlier this season when he changed his team's formation to a back-five to cope with the demands of the Premier League, and that has seen some players play less than they'd realistically like to, and now one star is ready to depart.
'Unbelievable' Leeds Star Ready to Leave
Daniel Farke
According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, midfield star Ao Tanaka is open to quitting Elland Road this summer in search of more regular first-team football.
Tanaka, described as 'unbelievable' by Declan Rice, has made just seven starts in the top-flight this season for the Yorkshire side, plus a further 14 appearances as a substitute, although he has started all four FA Cup games for the club during their cup run.
But after being a key player during their promotion push, he has lost his place in the side to summer signing Anton Stach, and is understood to be attracting attention from German side Freiburg for a summer move.
The Japan international would prefer to stay in England and in the Premier League, and is not currently considering a move to Freiburg. It is unclear if Leeds would be open to allowing him to leave at this stage, but it's believed that they value him in excess of £10m.
Leeds Can Make Big Profit on Tanaka
Ao Tanaka - Championship - Leeds United v Middlesbrough
Tanaka was brought in as a priority signing during the summer of 2024 in a deal worth around £3m, and he quickly proved his worth in midfield, dominating games in the second tier.
But now that Leeds have moved away from dominating possession, his profile is less of a fit for what they want to do, and they have the opportunity to potentially more than triple their money by selling him.
GIVEMESPORT asked Google Gemini to name potential replacements for him, and this was its response:
Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough): A creative, high-energy Championship standout.
Jens Hjerto-Dahl (Tromsø): A rising 20-year-old Scandinavian prospect linked to top clubs.
Anton Stach: Already in the squad and increasingly favored by Daniel Farke.
Lewis O'Brien: A persistent target offering tireless pressing.
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