"Got a bit of everything" - Leeds United urged to complete bargain deal for Gustavo Hamer alternative | OneFootball

Leeds are strongly linked to Fortuna Dusseldorf's Ao Tanaka

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Leeds United have been backed for closing in on the acquisition of Fortuna Dusseldorf's Ao Tanaka, who is poised to head to Elland Road amid significant interest in Gus Hamer of Sheffield United.

Leeds have been desperate to bolster the midfield engine room across the summer window, where they have been subjected to a second consecutive squad exodus with a host of big-name departures being sanctioned including those of Glen Kamara and Archie Gray.

The likes of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter have also departed to the Premier League for significant fees, leaving Daniel Farke to undertake a real squad rebuilding exercise for the second time in as many summers.

However, after tracking Dusseldorf midfielder Tanaka for more than 12 months, Leeds are now believed to have entered advanced negotiations ahead of a deal before Friday's 11pm transfer deadline.

Tanaka is said to be eager to complete a move to the Championship and reportedly has a £2.6m release clause in his current contract with the Bundesliga 2 side, with Leeds seemingly closing in on their latest acquisition.

Farke has added both Manor Solomon and Largie Ramzani to his ranks to offset the exits of Summerville and Rutter, and the 27-cap Japan international represents an exciting potential addition for Leeds, who have also been strongly linked to Sheffield United star Gus Hamer.

Leeds United verdict given on Ao Tanaka amid Gus Hamer, Sheffield United links

As first called by The Star on Monday evening, Leeds submitted an opening £13 million proposal for Hamer's services, which was deemed as "derisory" and was promptly turned down by the Blades.

However, it was reported by The Sun's Alan Nixon - via Patreon - on Tuesday that Leeds are yet to cool their interest in Hamer and remain in the race amid an £18 million asking price from Sheffield United, who, as exclusively revealed by Football League World, had been a target last summer before leaving Coventry City.

With United's asking price sure to test the resolve of Leeds at the very least, Football League World's resident Whites fan pundit Kris Smith believes Tanaka could prove to be a strong alternative, labeling the impending signing as a "bargain".

"Ao Tanaka looks like a bit of a bargain signing for Leeds if we obviously manage to pull it off, and it's kind of proved to me why the club should be looking more at deals that aren't really domestic and in the league that we are in," Kris explained to Football League World.

"We've been given an asking price of £18 million for Hamer from Sheffield United, which is fair enough, but that's off the cards for us. But then you look at getting Tanaka and it makes it less of a blow and less of a worry for Leeds fans really, given the quality he has.

"He's got a bit of everything to his game, technically he looks incredibly secure, he can play from deep alongside Ethan Ampadu but he can also play as more of a number eight and get involved with goals, obviously got eight last season across all competitions.

"I just think it would be a brilliant signing, a bargain and it's exactly what we've been crying out for in midfield to partner Ampadu."

Ao Tanaka can be a strong alternative to Sheffield United's Gus Hamer for Leeds United

As Kris points out, Sheffield United are justified in chalking up a significant valuation for Hamer who is perhaps the most influential player at Chris Wilder's disposal.

However, it is one which Leeds may face difficulty in meeting despite receiving a considerable cash influx across the summer after seeing so many prized assets lured away from the club. With that in mind, snapping up Tanaka for a fraction of the price surely represents positive, cost-effective business.

Accumulating 27 caps and counting for a Japan side which contains the likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Takefusa Kubo, Wataru Endo and Takumi Minamino among others and is ranked 18th in FIFA's world rankings is no mean feet, and Tanaka is still just 25 years of age.

He has been an ever-present in the German second-tier for the last three seasons and has earned plaudits for his ability to break up play but also help to dictate the rhythm of games in possession, which suits Farke's approach at Leeds down to the ground.