Leeds United might be ruing their missed opportunity to secure midfielder Ao Tanaka during the summer transfer window, as he’s now making waves at Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Today’s report from BILD highlights Tanaka’s transformation, successfully translating his international acclaim with Japan to his club performance.
Entering the new year, Tanaka has risen to become one of the standout players for the German club, particularly noted for his dominant display against HSV, where he commanded the midfield with precise ball recoveries and exceptional passing.
Currently, he’s shining brightly as Fortuna Düsseldorf’s linchpin, much to the club’s delight, especially since he never made the switch to Leeds United. Throughout the summer, there were numerous hints of Leeds’ interest in Tanaka, but the move fell through, reportedly due to Leeds’ approach of only extending an email offer for him.
This missed chance is likely a source of regret for Leeds, as Tanaka has since flourished into a key player for Fortuna Düsseldorf in recent months.
Tanaka’s previous eagerness to seek new challenges has been put on pause after unsuccessful transfer attempts in both the summer and January windows.
This development suggests that Leeds may have lost their shot at acquiring him, with his recent stellar performances potentially placing him out of reach for future transfers.
