Leeds United put paperwork together for Daiki Hashioka before transfer red tape – Phil Hay
Leeds United had put the paperwork together to sign defender Daiki Hashioka before the transfer with Sint-Truiden failed to materialise, according to Phil Hay.
Speaking on The Square Ball podcast on Thursday (1 February, 07:50), the Athletic journalist said he was told that the Whites “really liked” the Japanese international and they had started getting the paperwork together to do a deal with the Belgian side.
He added that the 24-year-old then picked up an ankle injury and the West Yorkshire club were concerned about the problem reoccurring, with the right-back then going on to sign for Premier League outfit Luton Town instead on Tuesday (30 January).
“The story they told me from Leeds end was that they really liked him, they were tempted to do it, they were getting paperwork together,” said Hay. “He picked up an ankle injury in a game in Belgium and they were concerned about the risk of recurrence.
“But the message basically was, they needed players they could count on to be able to play immediately and come into the team if they need them, that Farke could call on straight away without any fear of them being out for a while.”
Cautious
The news that Leeds had pulled out of a deal to sign Hashioka at the weekend was met with great disappointment following the lack of transfer activity at Elland Road through the transfer window.
It was clear that another right-back was needed after Djed Spence was sent back to Tottenham and Luke Ayling was allowed to join Middlesbrough on loan.
It sounds as though the Whites were keen to do a deal for him, but the risk of him picking up another injury was deemed to be too high given that their options are already relatively limited.
It will be interesting to see how the Japanese gets on in the Premier League with Luton and whether or not Daniel Farke will come back to rue not signing him up.
It looks as though a deal for Burnley defender Connor Roberts could happen before the deadline, though, so that should be a reliable addition coming in at Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Whites are set to make an offer for a mystery defender.
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