Japan midfielder shirks questions over possible Leeds move

Yosuke Ideguchi has responded to questions about a January move to Leeds United.

The  Gamba Osaka midfielder was linked with a move to the ambitious Yorkshire outfit earlier this week, with reports in the Japanese press suggesting a deal had been agreed to take him to Elland Road in January.

And the player was giving little away about the links to Thomas Christiansen’s side when questioned about it in Japan paper Hochi, via Sport Witness.

Refusing to discuss Leeds’ interest in him directly, the Japan international midfielder said: The desire to go abroad hasn’t changed, I think that the goal is there simply because I’m a footballer.”

The Whites, who moved top of the Championship on Tuesday night following their 2-0 win over Birmingham, might face a battle to obtain a work permit for the player, though his recent inclusion in Japan’s squad woud make that considerably easier.

The J-League season ends in December making a potential move to Leeds a seemless transition for the player and  Gamba Osaka’s chairman Takashi Yamauchi is fully expecting the Yorkshiremen to make a bid, telling Nikkan Sports: “The offer is definitely coming.”

 

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