Southampton told to sign 27yo Premier League star (hasn't started in 2026)

Southampton have been told to sign Leeds United’s 27-year-old Premier League star Ao Tanaka. He has never started a Premier League game in 2026.

April is just around the corner. It’s the time for Southampton’s squad to fully lock in for the 7 league games left and leave it all on the pitch to seal a playoffs ticket. For the Saints’ higher-ups, the task is a bit more complex.

Technical director Johannes Spors and his crew have exceeded expectations so far in their debut summer transfer window at St. Mary’s. Now, they have to keep up the good work going by clearing out the remaining deadwood in the squad and simultaneously replacing them with elite talent.

To do that, Spors needs to plan out Southampton’s signings in advance by keeping both Premier League and Championship scenarios in mind. Anything can happen with the Saints promotion charge. So, it’s better to draw a shortlist of players who are well-suited to the flow of both Premier League and the Championship.

Southampton told to sign 27yo Premier League star Ao Tanaka

Apart from signing Daniel Peretz permanently and possibly Cyle Larin in attack, there doesn’t seem to be any area in the squad crying out for an upgrade. Still, there is no harm in drawing out shortlists for certain positions depending on future scenarios.

Right now, Southampton’s Shea Charles is attracting widespread praise from Premier League and Championship fans for his stellar show in Northern Ireland’s 2-0 loss to Italy. Talent wise, Southampton should be retaining Charles for as long as possible but a hefty transfer bid might change the club’s mind.

According to a Football League World report, the Saints should keep Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka as a suitable replacement plan. The Japanese midfielder was a key part of the Leeds United squad that clinched Premier League promotion ten months ago.

That makes him a fit candidate at Championship level. Plus, Leeds United with Tanaka as a starter have never had to worry about Premier League relegation this season. That tells the 27-year-old isn’t a flop in the English top-flight and can lead Southampton’s rebuild in the Premier League.

Southampton need to be careful with Ao Tanaka signing

Leeds United are almost guaranteed to be a Premier League side for the following 2026/27 season. Southampton can at most gain a Premier League entry as a promoted side. Thus, joining the Saints isn’t a way for Ao Tanaka to climb the Premier League ladder and later aim for a Big Six transfer.

Instead, the only reason Tanaka would consider Southampton is to regain minutes after a tough 2026 with no Premier League starts. As a starting midfielder, Tanaka was controlling Leeds United’s midfield well and even scored crucial goals against Chelsea and Liverpool in the first half of the season.

Out of nowhere, he has been dropped down the Leeds pecking order in the middle of the park. That is both concerning and an opportunity for Southampton to pounce upon. As Tanaka hasn’t seen much of the ball in the past three months, he might not get much game time for Japan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

That will concern Southampton because no club wishes to sign a player who has lost his spot for club and country. The Saints have already suffered a lot from poor recruitments in recent years. So, they should think twice before adding Tanaka to boss Tonda Eckert’s disposal.

However, if Tonda Eckert gives his green light and Johannes Spors can drive a good bargain on the Tanaka deal then it can be a win-win for Southampton. It’s worth remembering that Tanaka hasn’t been a flop at Leeds United.

There might be a quality talent in him that Leeds aren’t able to utilize at the moment. Snapping up Tanaka for a cheap fee can thus become a shrewd move for Southampton for the present and future.