Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka has shared insight into his mentality during what’s been a mixed season at Elland Road, including transfer considerations.
United’s season has been tremendous for the most part. But, there will be some players in Daniel Farke’s squad who will know it didn’t go as planned.
Ao Tanaka falls into that bracket. He was one of our best players in the Championship, but has endured an up-and-down campaign in the Premier League.
Ao Tanaka makes Leeds United transfer admission after tough Premier League season
As Tanaka prepares for the World Cup with Japan in the coming weeks, he conducted an interview with Sport Hochi, reflecting on the season he’s had in the top flight.
On top of aiming for more goals to rub shoulders with some of the best Japanese players in the league’s history, Tanaka noted how he was weighing up an exit.
“There were talks of a transfer in the winter, and I thought about moving, but I really wanted to play in the Premier League. I told my teammates who weren’t playing either, ‘Watch out, my time will definitely come.’ And it really did come,” the Leeds midfielder said.
“I think of life as a stock market. There are times when it falls, like during the Lehman Shock or the pandemic, but I thought it would be good if it kept rising. I never stopped believing and continuing.”
Of course, links with an exit have since surfaced for Tanaka to potentially leave the club. Following his starring display in the FA Cup against West Ham, it was claimed he was open to leaving.
Premier League clubs on alert as Ao Tanaka admits Leeds United exit thoughts
If our Premier League rivals weren’t already thinking of making a move for Tanaka, they certainly will be on alert now.
It’s clear that Tanaka won’t be happy being in and out of the squad for another season. So, if any other clubs fancy giving him regular starts, that will tempt him to leave.
Not only that, but a strong World Cup with Japan could make more think he’s a viable signing after a strong end to the campaign with Leeds.
How much we stand to gain from a Tanaka sale is hard to say before the World Cup. But, the fact we signed him for £2.95million means we’re due for big profit if he does leave.
I think, personally, I’d feel comfortable either way this summer.
If Leeds wanted to retain Tanaka and Farke intends to get more out of him, then happy days – we all know he’s capable.
However, if the club see fit to sell, it doesn’t really hamper our starting XI all that much. We’re going to reinvest and strengthen our attacking midfield depth either way.
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