Leeds United eye £2.65m bargain deal for international midfielder, with Farke a strong admirer.

Leeds United are actively searching for a new midfielder this month to complete their double pivot quartet.

Initially, they aimed for Gustavo Hamer, but their £13 million bid was rejected, prompting them to consider other options.

According to a recent report by the Daily Mail, Leeds have shifted their focus back to the 2. Bundesliga, targeting Fortuna Düsseldorf’s Ao Tanaka.

Tanaka was previously linked with a move to Elland Road in 2023, and it’s evident that both Leeds’ recruitment team and manager Daniel Farke hold him in high regard.

With his contract expiring next summer, Tanaka could be available at a reasonable price.

The report indicates that Tanaka’s release clause is just £2.65 million, making him a much more affordable option than other midfield targets Leeds have pursued.

The Yorkshire Evening Post also confirms these claims, highlighting that Farke is a “big fan” of the Japanese international and views his release clause as a bargain.

Last season, Tanaka scored eight goals and provided four assists across all competitions, playing a key role as his team narrowly missed out on promotion to the Bundesliga via the playoffs.

Given the challenges of signing Hamer, Tanaka appears to be a sensible alternative for Leeds.

At such an affordable price, Tanaka offers the ideal midfield profile Leeds are looking for.

He is versatile, capable of playing both in a deeper role and higher up the pitch, contributing with both goals and assists.

For under £3 million, Leeds have a cost-effective solution to their longstanding midfield issues under Farke.