Everton are – or at least were – admirers of Ao Tanaka.
A story from the Daily Mail back in May 2024 claimed that the Toffees liked the Japan international, but a deal was not feasible at that time due to financial issues at Everton.
Tanaka later sealed a £2.9m move from Fortuna Dusseldorf to Leeds in August 2024 – but a report from Florian Plettenburg opens the door for Everton to swoop in and sign the playmaker as an early replacement for the ageing Idrissa Gueye.
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Ao Tanaka willing to leave Leeds and is “leaning” towards Premier League stay
Despite his talent – which he used to score against both Liverpool and Chelsea earlier this season – the Leeds No.22 has only been given seven starts in the Premier League by Daniel Farke this season.
The German does not seem to fancy Tanaka as a regular starter, which has now led the Japanese maestro to become unsettled at Elland Road.
Respected journalist Plettenburg believes the 27-year-old ideally wants to stay in the Premier League, and a deal could even be done for as little as €10m (£9m) this summer given the circumstances.
David Moyes is relatively well-stocked for numbers in his central midfield department, but there are several doubts over a key player in Gueye, and depth will be needed next term with Everton on track for European football.
For one, the Senegal international turns 37 in September – an age few midfielders can operate at in the Premier League – while he may even depart the Hill Dickinson Stadium before that birthday arrives, considering his contract expires at the end of the season.
Therefore, a move for Tanaka for a bargain sum of £9m offers Everton the chance to replace Gueye without breaking the bank, and with a player who has been on the transfer wishlist since May 2024.
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Considering the man born in Kawasaki is also roughly a decade younger than Gueye, this business would make a huge amount of sense for The Friedkin Group.
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