DEAL CONFIRMED: Celtic has agreed deal to take a new coach.Leeds United elbowed Celtic aside to win race for ‘incredible’ late window signing
Thu 5 September 2024 07:36
Danny Bloomer
Leeds United’s late flurry of transfer activity has peaked optimism at Elland Road once again.
Just over three weeks ago after Leeds‘ draw at West Brom, the mood could not have been much lower following Georginio Rutter’s exit and a distinct lack of signings.
However, just like a year ago, Leeds really kicked their window into gear towards the latter stages and now have a squad that looks capable of challenging at the top.
In the final eight days of the summer, Leeds completed four new signings, with Largie Ramazani’s arrival from UD Almeria the first.
Manor Solomon, Ao Tanaka and Isaac Schmidt then all followed him in the final week and now aside from a number 10, Leeds’ squad looks in good shape.
READ MORE: Predicting Leeds’ next five fixtures before October international break with Burnley and Sunderland to come
Ao Tanaka of Duesseldorf during the Second Bundesliga match between Fortuna Düsseldorf and Karlsruher SC at Merkur Spiel-Arena on August 10, 2024 i…
Photo by Frederic Scheidemann/Getty Images
Leeds beat Celtic to Ao Tanaka signing
The signing of Solomon was arguably seen as the biggest coup of the summer considering his pedigree and who Leeds had to overcome to land him.
Both Getafe and Ajax were keen on a loan deal for the 25-year-old, but it was Leeds who ended up winning the race due to his preference for staying in England.
And it wasn’t only Solomon who Leeds had to stave off top-flight interest from to bring him to Elland Road, with the Athletic stating it was the case with Tanaka, too.
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Celtic, Midtjylland and Serie A side Como were all keen on doing a deal for Tanaka, but it was Leeds where he felt would be the next best step in his career.
It is said Tanaka has ambitions of playing in the Champions League at one stage and European football would have been something he could’ve had this season had he joined either Celtic or Midtjylland.
In Reo Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda, Celtic already have a couple of Japanese internationals in their squad and so both of these factors show what a coup it was for Leeds to sign Tanaka, who was hailed as ‘incredible’ by Kieran McKenna back in July.
READ MORE: What Leeds United did in the summer that was slightly better than Man City and the rest of world football
Tanaka’s debut vs Hull City shows bargain Leeds have found
Tanaka was only just signed in time to be in the squad for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Hull City, but Farke still ensured he got some time on the pitch.
He was brought on for the final four minutes plus stoppage time, and wasted very little time in stamping his authority on the match.
Though the game being all but won benefitted Tanaka when he came on, it was clear to see what a key role he is going to be play over the course of the season.
According to Opta’s Leeds United stat man Jonny Cooper, Tanaka was able to complete 18 passes in the limited time he had on the pitch.
Since Opta began recording Championship data in 2013/14, only two players have managed to complete more when coming off the bench in the 86th minute or later.
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