Agent of Leeds United star sheds light on transfer deal and gives glowing Daniel Farke verdict

Pundits and regular Championship followers are running out of superlatives for Leeds United star Ao Tanaka. The Japan international has been one of the standout players in the division this season.

Injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev between September and October opened the door ajar for Tanaka to establish himself in the Whites starting XI. He has grasped his opportunity with both hands, forming a strong partnership in the middle of the park with Joe Rothwell. He was in the running for the October Championship player of the month award.

Tanaka, recruited for a fee thought to be in the region of €3.5million from Fortuna Dusseldorf, was regularly linked with a move to the Bundesliga before opting to join Daniel Farke's side on deadline-day. Marijo Knez, Tanaka's agent, says Farke was a big factor behind his client's decision to move to West Yorkshire.

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In an interview with Fussball News via Sport Witness, Knez said: “Leeds United explained the project very precisely to Ao Tanaka. Daniel Farke showed him that he was the type of player Leeds needed.

“And Leeds, conversely, offers him an optimal platform for development. This is also shown by a look at the data. I have to give Farke a lot of praise. He recognised exactly what abilities Ao has and how he needs to use them.

“That doesn’t mean that German clubs haven’t recognised this potential. But a move to a Bundesliga club didn’t work out for various reasons.”

Knez is convinced Tanaka could make a big impact at Premier League level in the future. "He can be good for a possession team that wants to play neat football with his style," he said.

“Many observers may soon be asking themselves why he is only playing in the second division. I’m firmly convinced that he can make it in the Premier League.”