Ao Tanaka: Leeds star may be forced towards exit as Whites have bargain Hidemasa Morita deal in their grasp
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Tanaka has struggled to secure regular gametime this term after his team’s promotion to the Premier League, and the fact that he has started just seven league games has set speculation swirling regarding his future. Leeds’ summer transfer plans are set to see them strengthen again as they bid to secure and then consolidate their top-flight status, and that could see Tanaka on the chopping block. ⚽ Leeds United Matchday ⚽ Team news, line-ups, expert previews and verdicts, and tactical analysis for every Leeds fixture.
Tanaka’s international teammate came firmly onto the radar at Elland Road, only for the Whites to ultimately choose against pursuing a deal due to what they perceived to be a lofty asking price.StatsTanakaMoritaApps2022Goal Involvements21Successful Passes per 903950.6Chances Created per 900.970.74Tackles per 902.062.51Duels Won per 903.644.87Tanaka’s 2025-26 league stats compared to Morita’s, as per Fotmob.However, they are now back in for the 30-year-old once again, and have been described as his “most likely destination” this summer by Portuguese outlet A Bola.The holding midfielder is set to leave Sporting upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the campaign, and Leeds are ready to pounce to secure a bargain deal. Ao Tanaka to take future into his own handsFootball Insider revealed at the start of March that Leeds have no plans to sell Tanaka this summer, as he is still seen as a key part of their project by the coaching team.
At 27, Tanaka is in the prime years of his career, and after being such an influential figure in Leeds’ promotion last term, he would surely have been expecting more starts than a measly seven in the league.The fact that a new midfielder now appears set to come through the door will only serve to worsen his situation even further, as the competition for places in the middle of the park ramps up again. He will undoubtedly want to play regular football next term, and with Leeds looking to build on the foundations that they have set this time around, it could see them almost outgrow Tanaka.