Leeds line up January deal for Japan midfielder

Leeds United are lining up a January move for Japanese midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi, according to reports.

Sports Nippon reports that the deal looks likely to going through for 21-year-old in January, while the Yorkshire Evening Post claim the club” have begun negotiations” to bring Ideguchi to the Championship.

Ideguchi currently plays for J-League side Gamba Osaka and he was named the 2016 J.League Rookie of the Year.

Ideguchi has been capped at Under-19 and Under-23 level by Japan and he secured his first call-up to Japan’s senior squad earlier this year.

Last week, Leeds’ sporting director Victor Orta admitted to being close to signing a player from Asia, after extending their scouting network to the Far East and Ideguchi looks to be the man.

Leeds appointed former Japan international Toshiya Fujita as Head of Football Development in Asia in August and he has been working on a deal for the youngster since then.

Ideguchi played and scored in a 2-0 victory over Australia during a World Cup qualifier in Saitama on August 31.

“[In the Australia game] I was slow switching between defence and attack and that is something I need to fix,” Ideguchi told Japan Times after the win over Australia.

“[Those qualities] are what the coach wants from me. They are my strengths and what I want to keep on showing,” he said, adding that he believes his place in the squad for Russia is not yet guaranteed.
“At this moment in time… no way. But I just want to show quality, and keep improving in defence and attack.”