The 49ers are not wasting time. Leeds United and 49ers Enterprises have already inquired about a summer signing following their Championship playoff final defeat to Southampton.
Leeds transfer plans following Southampton defeat
The Whites and Daniel Farke are now preparing for another season in the second division after a 1-0 defeat at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, with another busy summer of incomings and outgoings expected.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe stated that there will be some departures and additions ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
“We have sufficient investment capital. We have the necessary finances to do our tasks. Being in the Championship means that Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) are important considerations. We also inherited a difficult situation, so there are bound to be some trade-offs. But we also have a great team, and it’s not just about outs and ins. We are looking into scouting opportunities and players that we can bring in. We will have to make certain trade-offs due to P&S, but we have the investment to do what is necessary.”
Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto, and Archie Gray have all been linked with moves away from Yorkshire, but it appears that arrangements are already being put in place to bring a 2023 target to the club.
Leeds investigates Ao Tanaka.
Last year, Leeds were highly linked with midfielder Ao Tanaka, but instead signed Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev. According to Hochi News, Leeds, Borussia Monchengladbach, FC Mainz, and Everton have all expressed an interest in signing Tanaka this summer.
Tanaka is expected to depart Fortuna Duesseldorf after the club failed to win promotion to the Bundesliga, squandering a three-goal lead in a two-legged final against Bochum.
Tanaka, who appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high Transfermarkt valuation, can play in holding or attacking roles but is primarily a box-to-box midfielder, giving Farke plenty of options next season alongside Kamara, Gruev, Ampadu, and possibly Gray. He also got the attention of Josh Bunting during the 2022 World Cup for his “effective” performances, with the writer saying:
The 25-year-old has plenty of experience in the German second tier, having made 91 appearances for his present club, and it appears that he could be on the move this summer, though whether it will be to Leeds remains to be seen.
