Agreement to be reached in days as West Ham United seek deal to sign Japan star Ao Tanaka
West Ham are trying to sign Japan international Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf this summer, according to the Rheinische Post.
The versatile midfielder, who can play centrally and out side, made 25 appearances in all competitions this season for the German outfit.
The Rheinische Post noted that the club’s sporting director Klaus Allofs will reject any offers under €3million (£2.5million) for the 24-year-old.
“According to information from our editorial team, two clubs from the English Premier League are trying to sign Ao Tanaka,” according to the Rheinische Post. “It is said to be primarily West Ham United, but also Fulham FC.
“Sporting director Klaus Allofs does not want to announce an official price tag for the Japanese national player, but it can be assumed that all offers under three million euros will not be a serious issue at the moment.
“There is currently no concrete offer, but it is likely that an agreement could be reached in the coming days.”
Bigger squad needed
Tanaka registered totals of just one goal and three assists from his 25 matches this season, with the midfielder definitely needing to improve upon those figures if he is to make it in the Premier League.
But there is clearly a talented player there, and one that at 24 years old can only improve as the years go on.
West Ham meanwhile certainly need to strengthen their entire squad as they look to compete on all fronts next season, with the club in desperate need of climbing back up the Premier League table once more.
That task will be made harder with Thursday evening football once again on the cards, this time in a more difficult competition than last time out.
But as with any potential transfer that the Hammers are involved in, the club look certain to be in for a battle for the signature of Tanaka, with London rivals Fulham perhaps their biggest competitors at this stage.