Leeds United are reportedly keen on Japanese star Yosuke Ideguchi.
According to Yahoo! Japan, Gamba Osaka midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi may not quality for a work permit to join Leeds United during the January transfer window.
The Whites may have been busy in the transfer market over the summer, bringing in the likes of Felix Wiedwald, Samu Saiz, Ezgjan Alioski and Pierre-Michel Lasogga, but the work is continuing even after the transfer deadline.
Not only did Victor Orta arrive over the summer to head up Leeds’ recruitment operations, but former Japanese international Toshiya Fujita also came in to take charge of the club’s Asian scouting network.
Just weeks into the role, Fujita has seemingly found a target already, with the Yorkshire Evening Post reporting that Gamba Osaka midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi has emerged as a top target ahead of the January transfer window.
Now, Yahoo! Japan report that Ideguchi may struggle to receive a work permit, and whilst Leeds are hopeful of securing a deal, it’s a hurdle for the Whites to clear in order to get the 21-year-old signed up.
Youngster Ideguchi already has three caps for Japan, and won the J.League’s Rookie of the Year award last season, showing just how much potential he has – and Leeds may yet have the perfect answer to those work permit problems.
Leeds recently set up a link with Spanish side Cultural Leonesa, and loaned out Dutch defender Ouasim Bouy to the Segunda side for first-team experience, but they could use the Spanish outfit as a way to work around work permits.
English clubs have often used European clubs to loan players out until they can attain work permits, and this would appear to be the perfect opportunity for Leeds to do the same if they face problems with Ideguchi, as Leeds will certainly want to ensure that they acquire his services for the coming years – even if he doesn’t make his debut for the club in the near future.
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