Leeds United reportedly face competition from Sint-Truiden in the race for Yosuke Ideguchi.
According to Japanese news outlet Sanspo, Belgian side Sint-Truiden are lining up a move for Leeds United target Yosuke Ideguchi, in a bid to win the race for the Gamba Osaka midfielder.
Ideguchi, 21, has emerged as one of the top young talents in Japanese football with Gamba Osaka, having joined the ranks from Aburayama Kameriazu in 2008.
The midfielder has not only starred in the J.League, but also become a Japanese internatioanl, scoring once in three caps for his country as his stock continues to rise.
In recent weeks, it has been reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post that Leeds are hoping to push through a deal to sign Ideguchi in January, with the move seen as something of a foregone conclusion.
However, Leeds may now face competition for Ideguchi’s signature, as Japanese news outlet Sanspo report that Belgian outfit Sint-Truiden are now lining up their own bid to sign the midfielder in 2018.
Japanese company DMM invested in Sint-Truiden over the summer, with the aspiration of bringing Japanese talent to the Belgian club – and Ideguchi is believed to have emerged as their top target.
The likes of Yuya Kubo and Ryota Morioka are already playing in Belgium with Gent and Beveren respectively, and they could look to tempt Ideguchi into joining them in the Jupiler Pro League when the transfer window re-opens.
Previously seen as an imminent deal, Ideguchi’s move to Leeds may now be in danger, but director of football Victor Orta will be hoping that the size of the club and the prospect of playing in the Premier League can convince Ideguchi to make the move to Elland Road.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
