Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka’s Premier League admirers revealed as Arsenal figure goes public
Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka has received praise from an unlikely source.
The Japan international has caught the eye of Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice this season.
Rice shared his somewhat unexpected appreciation for Tanaka during an interview with Japanese television, declaring the Leeds man an ‘unbelievable player’ and one of the Whites’ players of the season.
While some footballers, including Rice’s Arsenal teammate Ben White, famously don’t engage with the game on a wider level than their own fixtures and responsibilities, others such as the ex-West Ham United man apparently consume various leagues in their down-time.
Rice has admitted watching Leeds this season and being impressed by last summer’s £3 million arrival at Elland Road.
“The guy at Leeds, he’s an unbelievable player. Is it [Ao] Tanaka? Yeah, I’ve seen him play, he’s a top player,” the England star said. “Obviously the Championship gets shown on the TV all the time and Leeds are a massive club, so it’s good to have them back in the Premier League, but I know he’s been like their Player of the Season and when I watch him play he’s a really good player, really energetic, really good on the ball.”
Rice and Tanaka will most likely go head-to-head next season when Leeds meet Arsenal in the Premier League. The newly-promoted Whites have not beaten the Gunners in any of their last 14 attempts across all competitions, dating back to a 3-2 triumph at Highbury Stadium in May 2003.
Rice has played a central role for Arsenal this season, helping the team to second in the Premier League table and the Champions League semi-finals with nine goals and 10 assists in 51 outings.
Tanaka, meanwhile, featured 45 times for Leeds, scoring five and assisting two en route to United’s 100-point title-winning return to the top flight.
Leeds United transfer news & rumours with updates on Leicester duo James Justin and Bilal El Khannouss
Leeds United transfer rumours latest, including updates on Leicester City duo Bilal El Khannouss and James Justin, as well as Largie Ramazani’s situation.
The transfer window has just one week remaining for the 49ers and Leeds United, who are running out of time as they look for players in the market and as more transfer news emerges to add to their nine summer signings.
A busy end to the summer still lies ahead at Leeds as Daniel Farke looks to improve several areas of the side, with the Leeds squad getting closer to completion but also needing to be trimmed via exits as well.
Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach, Lucas Perri, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Noah Okafor have all bolstered Leeds’ ranks in recent months, meaning they have made plenty of progress but more are still to follow.
In the meantime, with vital days ahead for the recruitment team and with Farke’s team recovering from the 5-0 defeat to Arsenal, here we have taken a look at some of the latest transfer news and the biggest headlines coming out of the club.
READ MORE: Charlie Cresswell windfall allows Leeds United to fund move for £13m star
James Justin in action during FC Koln v Leicester City: Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
James Justin’s medical at Leeds United
Leeds United News revealed exclusively that James Justin is on Leeds’ radar and Justin’s mentality is to become a Leeds starter over Gabriel Gudmundsson or Jayden Bogle.
However, Justin was hit by injury for Leicester a week ago. Even if, since then, it is simply a dead leg for Justin, as confirmed by Marti Cifuentes. AFC Bournemouth’s James Hill became a Justin alternative for Leeds.
However, recent updates regarding Justin offered Leeds hope in signing him imminently. That was on Saturday; now, Leeds have agreed a deal up to £10 million for Justin, with the initial fee £8 million and add-ons of £2 million. A medical is booked, too.
Bilal El Khannouss playing for Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Bilal El Khannouss’ situation with Crystal Palace as Leeds circle
Crystal Palace’s pursuit of Bilal El Khannouss alongside Leeds has been well documented of late, with David Ornstein confirming Palace’s El Khannouss attempts have ramped up.
Leicester City have rejected Palace’s approaches for El Khannouss up to now. Then came decisive talks regarding El Khannouss and Palace. Leeds will hope nothing materialises and their opportunity arises again.
Palace’s El Khannouss move has stalled and, amid that talk, it’s been stated El Khannouss favours a move to Leeds over Spurs. It’s since been made clear El Khannouss wants to leave Leicester amid the talk of Palace’s situation being ‘tense’ with the Foxes.
Leeds may well have hope in the race, with just over a week for a move to Palace to materialise.
Largie Ramazani playing for Leeds United in pre-season friendly.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Largie Ramazani’s situation amid Valencia’s interest
Largie Ramazani has already rejected a move to Aris Thessaloniki. However, reports in recent days have outlined Valencia are now keen on Ramazani and the 24-year-old could depart before the transfer deadline.
In Thursday’s press conference, Farke explained Ramazani’s role at Leeds. Then, he was left out of the Arsenal matchday squad for the trip to The Emirates on Saturday.
Since then, it’s been claimed Valencia are pushing for a permanent clause in Ramazani’s deal as well. However, Leeds want a loan fee for Ramazani and there remains work to be done on the deal to seal it.
About the Author
