German outlet BILD are reporting that Tanaka has missed training today amid “concrete interest” from another team, which is believed to be Leeds.
Glen Kamara has followed Archie Gray out of Elland Road this summer, leaving a hole that needs filling in Daniel Farke’s midfield, and one which Tanaka could plug alongside Joe Rothwell, whilst Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev remain.
Tanaka was a target last summer before Leeds signed Gruev and Kamara instead late in the window. The Japanese international would give the West Yorkshire outfit another dimension if he were to join, with his goalscoring ability and tendency to command a game from the engine room something lacking in Leeds’ squad of late.
As mentioned, Tanaka was said to be gaining interest from the Elland Road outfit last summer, with Leeds apparently tabling a bid that was swiftly rejected.
However, earlier this summer, reports in Japan from sports outlet Hochi claimed that the 25-year-old has several admirers from clubs across Europe ahead of the next campaign, with Farke’s side said to be one of the interested parties.
Premier League side Everton are also rumoured to have been in the mix, as well as Bundesliga duo VfB Stuttgart and reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen. Nothing has materialised yet, but he is also in the last year of his deal in Germany with the second tier side.
The midfielder has been involved in all four of Düsseldorf’s games so far, and played in every minute of each of them in league and cup.
However, he signed a three-year deal with the club upon his arrival, meaning he is now entering the final 12 months of his current contract; a fact that could entice the Whites into making another summer move for the midfielder.
Having been tracking Tanaka for over 12 months, Farke’s side are now said to be in advanced talks with Fortuna Düsseldorf about the transfer of the player, who is said to be keen on the move to England.
The 37-cap Japan international is said to have a release clause in his contract of just £2.65 million. Although there are mixed reports regarding price, as HITC state that the Whites are closing in on an agreement with the German club, with BILD claiming that a €4 million (£3.4 million) asking price has been set.
It is understood that talks between the two clubs are progressing ahead of Friday night’s deadline. However, one stumbling block is reportedly the concerns over finalising personal terms with the player before the market closes.
The latest comes from BILD who are reporting that Tanaka is absent from Fortuna Düsseldorf training today. The midfielder is not said to be on strike, but is instead behaving well; however, has a “concrete” offer on the table.
