The new Leeds United loanee has sparkled in pre-season so far for Farke’s men, playing a key role in Mateo Joseph adding yet another strike to his pre-season back catalogue against Schalke, but the German boss is clearly wanting even more reinforcements, owing to the fact Glen Kamara is no longer on the books.
Dejan Ljubicic is the main name floating about from FC Koln at the moment, but the Championship promotion candidates could now be sizing up a move for this cheaper alternative instead, who the West Yorkshire outfit have been keen on in the past.
Leeds could work out cut-price deal for new midfield star
As per German outlet Rheinische Post, as relayed by Leeds United News, Leeds could now be in the running again to snap up previous transfer target Ao Tanaka this summer, with his price-tag at his current employers Fortuna Dusseldorf slashed.
The Japanese midfield star could now be available for as cheap as £2m, having previously been touted to be available for a higher £3m amount.
This could see the Whites land a new gem to play in the centre of the park for far cheaper than Ljubicic, with Koln already rejecting a bid in the region of £3.3m for the Austrian target, and so capturing Tanaka would enable Leeds to not break the bank as much.
Signing the Japanese international could also result in an exciting partnership forming in the midfield ranks at Elland Road, as both Tanaka and Rothwell have an eye for a goal in their respective games, away from allowing their sides to tick with calm and measured passing displays.
