Leeds United: Daiki Hashioka on his way to Elland Road to complete last-ditch January transfer
Daiki Hashioka is on his way to Elland Road to complete a last-ditch January transfer to Leeds United, according to Nieuwsblad.
The Belgian newspaper reported on its live transfer tracker on Sunday (28 January, 06:38am) that negotiations between the Whites and Sint-Truiden are “well advanced” for the Japanese international.
It added that the deal for the 24-year-old is expected to be completed quickly as Daniel Farke looks to bolster his defensive options this month, with the door open “in principle” for the right-back to earn a starting spot ahead of Archie Gray, who has been filling in there over the past few months.
Almost there
It sounds as though Leeds are very close to completing a deal to bring Hashioka to Elland Road, bringing weeks of searching for a new fullback to a close.
Farke has been on the lookout for a new right-back after sending Djed Spence back to Tottenham and allowing Luke Ayling to join Middlesbrough on loan.
That has left the Whites fairly limited on the right-hand side of the defence, with Gray currently the preferred option, while the injury-prone duo of Jamie Shackleton and Sam Byram can fill in there when necessary.
But the German boss has been keen to bring in another option for the second half of the campaign as he knows you can’t be taking risks in the bid for promotion.
The Japanese has scored two goals and registered two assists in 18 appearances in the Belgian top flight this season and he’ll be looking to make an impact in West Yorkshire.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are plotting a double raid on one Premier League club this month.
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