Report: Leeds have decided not to sign the target even after making a £3.2million bid

Championship giants Leeds United have never improved their original £3.2million offer for Ao Tanaka with the Japan international staying at Fortuna Dusseldorf a few more months.

When Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara arrived at Elland Road – the midfield duo who left Werder Bremen and Rangers respectively in the last 48 hours of the transfer window – Ao Tanaka slipped down Daniel Farke’s priority list.

According to BILD, the enforcer was the subject of a £3.2million bid from Leeds United. But after Leeds turned their attention to Gruev, Kamara and Nadiem Amiri (for the latter he agreed a fee with Bayer Leverkusen before negotiations broke down), there was to be no new and improved offer in the way of Elland Road.

This may have something to do with the fact that not everyone in West Yorkshire was entirely convinced of Tanaka. Accordingly Sky GermanySome at Leeds had their doubts about ‘the player’s qualities’.

Leeds United have decided against signing Ao Tanaka

Instead, Gruev comes with a proven track record in the top German division. The flexible Gruev is versatile and has a height of over 1.80 meters. Last season he was a regular at Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. Tanaka, on the other hand, spent the same season in the second division.

Kamara, meanwhile, brings title-winning experience to Elland Road. He was a key cog in Steven Gerrard’s Premier League-winning Rangers machine in 2020/21.

“It feels good. To be honest, I can’t wait to get started,” says Kamara Leeds website. “We have a great manager here and a great fan base and good players.

He said, “I can play box-to-box, (as) ‘six’ or ‘eight’.” It depends. And hopefully I can show everyone how good I am.

“I had a good chat with the manager recently. I don’t want to give too much away, I just have to bring it with me. Go and show it on the pitch.”

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