Daiki Hashioka left out of matchday squad, he’s busy completing Leeds United transfer
Daiki Hashioka was left out of St Truiden’s squad to face Genk as he looks to complete his transfer to Leeds United, according to David Van den Broeck.
The Belgian journalist reported via his X account on Sunday (28 January) that the 24-year-old was nowhere to be seen in St Truiden’s matchday squad for their clash with the Belgian giants, as he is instead busy completing his January switch.
Reports emerged earlier on Sunday that the fullback is currently on his way to Elland Road to complete his move to join Farke’s side, with negotiations between the two sides already advanced for the Japan international [Nieuwsblad, 28 January]
Get it done
It has been clear throughout the entirety of January that Leeds United needed new full-back options. The Whites made the bold call to send Djed Spence back to Tottenham Hotspur and allowed Luke Ayling to join Middlesbrough on loan for the remainder of the season.
That left only Archie Gray, Jamie Shackleton and Sam Byram as natural right-back options and two of those players are midfielders by trade, while the latter has played predominantly at left-back this season. Something had to be done and it looks like Leeds are closing in on a new arrival.
Hashioka has plenty of experience, despite his relatively young age, playing plenty of football at an international level as well as for his club sides. If he can hit the ground running at Elland Road, he could be a real difference-maker.
Hopefully, this deal will be completed without any late hitches, but the confirmation that the Japanese international is not in St Truiden’s matchday squad is almost confirmation that he is closing on a switch to Leeds United this month.
In other Leeds United news, a new round of talks have begun over the potential transfer of Manuel Benson
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