Yosuke Ideguchi’s potential transfer to Leeds United continues to be a media story in Japan, despite the player being unable to move until the winter window, and likely facing work permit problems even then.
That Leeds United have had a great start to the season, and currently look well placed for Premier League promotion, is obviously helping drive the story. It wouldn’t be so exciting for the Japanese media if Leeds were mid-table and not clearly on an upward curve.
Earlier this week Gamba Osaka’s chairman confirmed he’s expecting an offer for the player to arrive from Leeds United ahead of the January window, and now the Japanese media have got hold of the player himself.
For Hochi that’s enough wink-wink-nudge-nudge to suggest he fancies a move overseas soon. Most of Ideguchi’s competitors for national team stardom play outside of Japan, so the move to Elland Road would help on several fronts.
There’s still a work permit issue, but the more Ideguchi plays for Japan, the easier that will become.
