West Ham United want to sign Ao Tanaka after West Brom failed bid in January

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21 Jun 2023, 1:40 am

West Brom tried to sign Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder Ao Tanaka in January but had a bid rejected for the Japan international, according to The Telegraph.

The newspaper reported on Tuesday (20 June) that since Albion's unsuccessful move to sign the 24-year-old, clubs in the Premier League, as well as relegated Leicester City, have shown an interest.

It is understood that West Ham and Fulham have a "strong interest" in the Japanese central midfielder, who scored the controversial goal that knocked Spain out of the World Cup group stages in Qatar in December 2022.

Japan’s second goal in their 2-1 win over Spain was checked by VAR to determine if the ball had gone out of play.

The video match officials used the goal line camera images to check if the ball was still partially on the line or not. pic.twitter.com/RhN8meei6Q
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 2, 2022

No good now

It remains to be seen how strongly West Brom pursued Tanaka in January.

The former Kawasaki Frontale midfielder played for Fortuna Dusseldford in the second tier of German football last season, scoring one goal and supplying one assist in 22 2. Bundesliga appearances.

His season unfortunately ended in early April due to a medial collateral ligament injury in his knee.

West Brom only signed Nathaniel Chalobah from Fulham and Marc Albrighton on loan from Leicester in January with neither playing a major role in Carlos Corberan's side rise up the Championship table.

Had Albion signed Tanaka, things could have been different.

It says a lot that West Ham and Fulham are interested in the Japan World Cup star, who can play out wide or as an attacking midfielder away from his more natural central role.

And even though his goal in Qatar was marred with controversy and was a bit of a tap-in, it's still some achievement to score a goal against Spain that knocks them out of the World Cup.

It's unlikely Albion will stand a chance at signing Tanaka now.

It's unlikely any players will arrive at all if there's a transfer fee involved, in truth.

In other West Brom news, Chris Lepkowski has reacted to the Baggies takeover latest, suggesting “NDAs” would be in play.

West Bromwich Albion

Ao Tanaka