Coventry City urged to seal Leeds United transfer - Doug King backed to complete 'incredible' deal | OneFootball

Coventry City have been told to make a move to sign Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka.

Coventry City all but secured their promotion to the Premier League on Saturday, despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Sheffield Wednesday.

The Sky Blues now hold a 10-point lead over second-place Ipswich Town, and, crucially, sit 12 points clear of third-place Millwall with just four Championship games remaining.

Coventry's goal difference is vastly superior to that of the Lions, who were held to a 0-0 draw by relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion on Friday.

Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard will soon be tasked with recruiting players who can help his side stay in the Premier League.

Coventry City told to sign out of favour Leeds United midfielder

Leeds United successfully utilised last summer's transfer window to give themselves a fighting chance of staying in the Premier League, which is an example Coventry will look to follow ahead of next term.

One by-product of the Whites' transfer activity is that some of last season's Championship title-winning squad have endured a lack of game time in the top flight.

For instance, Ao Tanaka, made 37 starts for Daniel Farke's men last term, but may not even have 10 top-flight starts to his name by the end of the current campaign.

Meanwhile, as reported by Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg via X, Tanaka is open to leaving Leeds this summer.

Football League World asked our Coventry fan pundit, Chris Deez, if the Sky Blues should be eyeing a move for the midfielder ahead of next season.

Deez told FLW: "I really, really like Tanaka. I think he's a great little player, he's exactly the sort of player that I think we should be signing, especially (since) he's being touted at around £10-15million.

"I think that's going to be our limit in the Premier League next season. We hopefully bring in three or four players all around that sort of value, ship quite a few players out.

"Especially after the performance we just put in against Sheffield Wednesday, which was embarrassing and tragic. I don't see most of those players starting in the Premier League, and if they do, then we're in big trouble from day one.

"But Tanaka, fantastic for Leeds last season. Pivotal player in getting them promoted, and it's a shame that he's not really featured for them in the Premier League. He just seems like he might be one of those players that's way too good for the Championship, but maybe not quite at Premier League level, or at least not at the level that Leeds want of him, and want of their players.

"I think he would be a very good player for us. He's similar to (Matt) Grimes, he's similar to (Frank) Onyeka, and I think he'd be incredible competition for the two of them, because both of those players have been incredible for us.

"Onyeka since he came in on loan from Brentford, and Grimes has been incredible all season. But players need a rest, we're going to need a little bit of rotation in the Premier League.

"We can't expect another 38 games out of Grimes. He runs himself ragged, he runs the team from midfield, everything goes through him, and it's going to be a lot harder for him to do that in the Premier League.

"Tanaka has, basically, been a cup player for Leeds this season, which is a shame. I think he's far too talented for that. He's 27, so he's not got loads and loads of years left in him, at the top level.

"I think a move to a club like Cov would probably suit him quite well. I don't think he's anywhere near a top 10, or a top six player. I would welcome that move, I really would. He scores the occasional goal as well, gets a few assists here and there. I think he would slot really well into our team for our first season back in the big leagues."

Ao Tanaka could be a great signing for Coventry City

Unless Tanaka enjoys significantly more game time in the closing stages of Leeds' Premier League relegation battle, he will likely remain open to a move away from Elland Road.

Plettenberg's aforementioned X post revealed that the defensive midfielder would favour staying in the English top flight, although he has attracted interest from Bundesliga outfit Freiburg.

A move to Coventry, of course, would allow the Japan international to stay in the Premier League.

Furthermore, as alluded to by Deez, the Sky Blues should be able to offer Tanaka more game time than he has enjoyed at Leeds this season, as he can battle both Grimes and Onyeka for a starting spot.