Bild reports that Fortuna Düsseldorf midfield is a potential candidate to replace Manu Koné at Borussia Mönchengladbach this month if the latter leaves.
Gladbach sporting director Roland Virkus has made it clear that Gladbach does not wish to lose Koné but needs to be prepared just in case: “It is absolutely not our goal and our desire to hand over Manu Koné now. But as Borussia Mönchengladbach, we have to be prepared for all scenarios and of course, have a permanent eye on the market.” Koné is attracting interest from Italy and has previously been linked with both Juventus and Napoli in recent weeks.
Gladbach have already held talks about a potential move if Koné does leave and despite Tanaka turning down the opportunity to represent Japan at the Asian Cup, a move across the Rhein could be a possibility. Tanaka possesses the type of profile that manager Gerardo Seoane is looking for to replace Koné if he does leave in January.
The midfielder has a contract at Düsseldorf until 2025 and could cost around €3m and he would be allowed to leave this winter. On Tanaka’s goal, Düsseldorf’s director Klaus Aloffs said: “It remains that Ao in the 1st wants to play the league – this also has to do with his position in the Japanese national team, because he is one of the few who is not in the 1st Play the league. There is interest in the market, this position is sought by some clubs. But it is not that we are desperately looking for a solution.”
Montpellier’s Joris Chotard is another candidate at Gladbach but it is unclear what price the French side would ask for to allow the 22-year-old to leave in the winter.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
