Why Yosuke Ideguchi Would Be A Good Signing For Leeds
Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds United are have agreed on a deal to central midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi from Japanese side Gamba Osaka.
The club’s director of football, Victor Orta, revealed only last week that the club were in talks with agents in Asia and that something special was planned. Leeds will be asked to pay around £700,000 for Ideguchi’s services, a fee which reportedly triggers his release clause from Gamba.
It would appear that the 21-year-old midfielder has signed a pre-contract agreement with Leeds and can join them in the New Year. When the January transfer window officially opens, Ideguchi should be a Leeds player and can begin the next chapter in what is looking like a promising career.
Getting this deal done and dusted has not been easy for the Leeds hierarchy. Work permit issues have never quite gone away when it comes to deals like this and Ideguchi’s case has been no different. The player did make his debut for Japan earlier in the year and even scored his first international goal when playing against Australia recently, though that may or may not be enough to placate the immigration officials.
At this point in time, Leeds’ central midfield is just on the right side of being overcrowded. Given that Vurnon Anita is seen more as a defender these days, the club have primarily used Eunan O’Kane and the excellent Kalvin Phillips in central midfield positions so far this season, with youngster Ronaldo Vieira being made to wait and Mateusz Klich not yet forcing his way into regular contention.
O’Kane could perhaps be vulnerable but at 27, Phillips at 21 and Vieira at just 19, another player in that position could well expedite their improvement. Having four players of such quality is exactly what they’ll need, heading into a Premier League season too. So, if their seasonal goals are achieved, they’ll be in decent shape.
Ideguchi is listed as a central midfield or even defensive midfielder, but having contributed 4 goals and 6 assists in the J-League for his club this term, he may well be seen as someone who can also contribute in a central role behind the striker when needed.
It seems his increasing talent, versatility and surprise element means he will make a thoroughly decent signing for Leeds. hey are going about building up their squad well and it would be no surprise to see one of the big names back in the Premier League this time next year.