Out of favour Shinji claims future lies elsewhere
SHINJI Okazaki of Leicester City is being linked with a move to Town.
The 32-year-old Japanese international is out of contract with the Foxes and is said to be interesting David Wagner.
It’s reported an initial Town bid for the former Mainz and Stuttgart player has been rejected.
When asked about the bid, Wagner said: “There is nothing significant to say where there is something around the corner. I don’t like to comment on any individual names.
“It makes no sense, we have to be SHINJI Okazaki joined Leicester in the summer of 2015 and was a key part of Claudio Ranieri’s side as they created history that season by winning the Premier League title that season.
The 32-year-old scored six goals in 39 appearances in all competitions.
There is no sign, as it stands, that Okazaki’s contract, which runs out this summer, will be renewed at City. He has made 129 appearances for the Foxes, but has previously admitted his future may lie elsewhere at the end of this season.
“I don’t know,” Okazaki said of his future last month. “I can’t say much but I love this club. It is family.
“This team is changing and the club is changing, looking for a different challenge now. Me too. I want to change something because Leicester I love like family, but I want another challenge in Europe.
“I don’t know whether to stay or go, but I want to stay in Europe.
After four years there is a World Cup and I want to play in the World Cup again.
“Then maybe I have to stay in Europe for four more years.”
Okazaki added: “I understand this team because now I have been here three-and-a-half years and it is changing a little bit. Leicester City are growing up more and they need to change more, they play in different styles now. This is not so easy.
“We were champions three years ago and maybe we needed time. Maybe this season will be a difficult season but we are not so bad in the table, in the middle. Maybe we can have a chance at Europa League qualification, we can do it.”