Leeds United could not send delegate to Japan to seal move for Liverpool ace Takumi Minamino – Ryan Taylor
Leeds United would face major complications trying to sign Liverpool winger Takumi Minamino on deadline day, according to Ryan Taylor.
The Express journalist has reported that Minamino is currently away with Japan which could stop any medical from happening.
Leeds have asked about the availability of the attacker, but Japan are currently blocking foreign nationals from entering the country, meaning no officials from Elland Road could go get a medical done ahead of the deal.
Speaking in the Leeds segment of his latest transfer update on YouTube, Taylor shared the latest on any potential incomings at Elland Road.
“Takumi Minamino is obviously a player they are looking at,” he said. “Minamino is currently away with Japan.
“The issue any club looking to do business with Liverpool for Minamino have is that, because of COVID, foreign nationals cannot enter Japan, at the moment to undergo a medical.
“Given the time at the moment, to get a delegate out to Japan to conduct a medical would be a problem, anyway. But, since the signing of Luis Diaz, Liverpool have altered their stance on Divock Origi and Minamino.
“Leeds asked the question, and asked whether Minamino would be available this month.”
Seriously…
Only Leeds would ask about the one player who is currently in a country no one is allowed entry into because of COVID.
Japan are still strict on their rules due to the virus, and it looks as though no Leeds officials would be able to go across.
That doesn’t mean any deal is 100% dead, but it would surely make it almost logistically impossible before 11 pm tonight.
Could Minamino leave Japan’s training camp to another country? Or could Leeds organise any potential last-gasp medical through video call? Either way, it would be a huge risk.
One thing for sure, the winger would surely welcome a move to Elland Road, with his playing time already minimal before the arrival of Luis Diaz from Porto.
Now it is down to Victor Orta and his team to come up with a solution, or we could be looking at another window with no serious signings through the door.
In other Leeds United news, Fabrizio Romano shares Elland Road update with double deal possible in final knockings of January