Ciaran Morrison

Wed 15 April 2026 10:44, UK

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Ao Tanaka could move to Coventry City if he was to push for a transfer away from Leeds United this summer.

That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who thinks Leeds will open contract talks to keep Tanaka at Elland Road.

The 27-year-old’s contract at the club does not expire until 2028, but he has only started eight Premier League matches for Leeds this season.

The Japan international could leave in order to be guaranteed greater playing time elsewhere, although he has started Leeds’ last two matches.

Leeds’ Premier League status will determine their transfer activity, and their 2-1 win at rivals Manchester United means they remain on course to stay in the top flight.

Coventry backed to pursue Ao Tanaka

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Coventry would be best placed to make a move for Tanaka in the summer.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness though is expecting the midfielder to be a Leeds player next season.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Tanaka’s got some quality, that’s for sure. Now that Leeds are looking as though they’re safe, I think they’ll open up contract negotiations.

“Leeds will want to keep him. If Tanaka was to go anywhere, he would probably be going to one of the newly promoted clubs. Coventry would be the one that I would place him at. And that may be something that his agent will be trying to keep Leeds honest in terms of the contract negotiations.

“But I think he’ll end up back at Leeds now after that win against Man United. That was quite an important sign for him and them. And I think that we’ll expect to see Tanaka in the white shirt next year.”

Leeds to hold further contract talks with star

Sources have told Football Insider that Leeds also want to tie down Brenden Aaronson to a new contract at the end of the season.

Aaronson enters the final year of his current contract in the summer, and has emerged as a key player under Daniel Farke this campaign.

The 25-year-old is set to feature for the USA at this summer’s World Cup, which could spark further interest from clubs in the transfer window.

Leeds do not want Aaronson to leave the club on a free transfer, and are confident of the midfielder remaining at Elland Road if they secure Premier League safety.