“Move away Kalvin Phillips” Leeds now already have in place a world Class player that will perfectly replace Kalvin Phillips

Leeds United has made an enquiry to sign Japanese midfielder Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf, according to reports from Hochi News. The 25-year-old has impressed in the Bundesliga 2 this season, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in 36 appearances. Tanaka’s versatility and ability to operate as both an attacking and holding midfielder have made him an attractive target for Leeds, who are looking to strengthen their squad after missing out on promotion to the Premier League.

Tanaka’s stats from last season show similarities to Southampton’s Will Smallbone, who played a crucial role in his team’s promotion to the top flight. Both players have similar progressive pass and carry numbers, as well as pass completion percentages, making Tanaka a potential like-for-like replacement for Kalvin Phillips, who is reportedly hesitant to join Leeds due to their failure to secure promotion.

Leeds’ interest in Tanaka is not the only one, as Everton, Stuttgart, and Bayer Leverkusen are also reportedly interested in the Japanese midfielder. However, with a valuation of just £2.2m, Tanaka could be a more affordable option for Leeds than Phillips, who is valued at a significantly higher price by Manchester City.

Tanaka’s ability to score important goals, including a famous winner against Spain in the 2022 World Cup, has made him a sought-after player in the transfer market. His addition to the Leeds squad could provide a much-needed boost to their midfield, and potentially soften the blow of missing out on Phillips.

With Daniel Farke looking to strengthen his squad and make a push for promotion next season, the signing of Tanaka could be a shrewd move by Leeds. The Japanese midfielder has already proven himself in the Bundesliga 2, and his stats suggest he has the potential to make a similar impact in the Championship.

Leeds fans will be hoping that the club can secure a deal for Tanaka, who could potentially become a key player in their promotion push next season. With his versatility, goal-scoring ability, and passing range, Tanaka could be the perfect addition to Farke’s squad, and help the Whites achieve their goal of reaching the Premier League.