Man Utd plot shock Leeds United transfer - it would affect Coventry City move | OneFootball

The Sky Blues have become linked with a move Ao Tanaka's services in recent days

Coventry City's position in the Premier League next season is a formality at this stage of the Championship campaign, with Frank Lampard's first full term at the CBS Arena surpassing the majority of people's expectations before a ball was kicked.

The Sky Blues have been on an upward trajectory within the last decade, having risen from the depths of League Two to their current lofty position in the space of just eight years, with Lampard's success following on from the foundations that were laid by Mark Robins beforehand, as well as the off-pitch stability which has followed since Doug King's takeover three-and-a-half years ago.

Coventry, as their league position and distance between themselves and their fellow promotion hopefuls in terms of points suggests, have been the standout side in this season's Championship, playing with a strong sense of flair and consistency, barring a minor blip at the beginning of 2026 which briefly saw them lose top spot to Middlesbrough.

However, an impressive run of recent form - barring a frustrating home loss to Southampton on March 14th and an unexpected goalless draw against already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday on April 11th - has got those at the CBS full of excitement as to what the future holds for their club as the top-flight looms ahead of Friday's potential promotion-sealing trip to Blackburn Rovers.

It remains to be seen how many of the current lineup will feature regularly in the Premier League next season, with transfer speculation already whirling around - some of it good, and some of it slightly concerning for those of a Sky Blue persuasion.

Yet, whilst there, unsurprisingly, is a party mood amongst supporters, a new update on a heavily-linked midfielder doesn't perhaps bring ideal news to the Coventry fanbase.

Manchester United plot shock transfer raid for Leeds United ace Ao Tanaka amid Coventry City speculation

Just 11 months ago, Coventry missed out on joining both Leeds United and Burnley in the Premier League, instead losing the play-off semi-finals to eventual winners, Sunderland.

The Whites have since fared better than the Clarets under Daniel Farke, and there is every chance that they could marry up survival in the top-flight with a first FA Cup victory since 1972.

A key figure in their promotion-winning lineup was Japanese ace, Ao Tanaka, who signed from Fortuna Düsseldorf for just £2.9m in the summer of 2024.

However, despite being at the beating heart of Daniel Farke's side in the second tier, it has been a frustrating current season for the 27-year-old, starting in just eight Premier League games despite providing key goals against Chelsea and Liverpool in December, as well as scoring twice against Derby County and West Ham United in the Yorkshire side's FA Cup run thus far.

After Florian Plettenberg revealed Tanaka is open to leaving Elland Road this summer, it has been speculated whether Coventry would be one of the sides to make a move for the 37-time international.

Whether such developments occur does, indeed, remain to be seen. However, they may have taken a hit, with TEAMtalk now claiming that Manchester United are one of three established Premier League sides monitoring the box-to-box midfielder, as well as Everton and Newcastle United.

Coventry City would have their work cut out against Manchester United in potential Ao Tanaka transfer battle

Given the fierce rivalry that exists between Leeds and Man United, it does also remain to be seen if such a controversial transfer in its own right would take place this summer, especially when taking Tanaka's current popularity at Elland Road into account.

Regardless, Coventry would certainly have their work cut out against all three of the aforementioned sides in a transfer battle, with the Red Devils looking likely to secure a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League, whilst David Moyes' side are also gunning for Europe as things stand.

It comes as no surprise that this has been viewed as a potential dream transfer by Sky Blues fans, but the club and Lampard may need to set their sights elsewhere.