Ideguchi is set for loan spell when Leeds deal confirmed
JAPAN international Yosuke Ideguchi will undergo a medical at Leeds United next week after agreement was reached over a £500,000 fee with the midfielder’s club Gamba Osaka.
The 21-year-old, who has ten senior caps, was first linked with a possible switch to England in September, just a few weeks after the summer window had closed.
Ideguchi is seen as one for the future by Leeds despite his international experience and, providing there are no issues with his medical, he is likely to be loaned out to Cultural Leonesa, a secondtier Spanish club, for the rest of the season.
He scored in the 2-0 win that sealed Japan’s place at the 2018 World Cup finals and hopes to play a role in the tournament, hence the midfielder’s desire to maintain his fitness levels out on loan.
Another United midfielder, summer recruit Ouasim Bouy, joined Leonesa on a season-long loan in August, but the 24-yearold’s spell has been cut short after the former Juventus player failed to make a serious impact on the side. He made just two league appearances for the club.
Elsewhere in Yorkshire, a host of managers and chief executives are working hard to bring in signings now the window is open.
Hull City, 21st in the Championship and facing a second successive relegation scrap after dropping out of the top flight last May, are keen to strengthen.
No new arrivals, though, are expected before the weekend trip to Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup third round and captain Michael Dawson admits the Tigers could do with an on-field lift at Ewood Park.
“It has been a disappointing season so far,” said the 34-yearold defender. “When you look at the position we are in, we have underachieved. We know we haven’t hit the heights expected of us and everyone knows we have to improve.” MANAGER Darren Ferguson has been left to reflect on a bittersweet day of transfer developments at Doncaster Rovers.
The good news saw Rovers extend Manchester City midfielder Rodney Kongolo’s loan for the rest of the season, so too with influential schemer Jordan Houghton on loan from Chelsea, despite failing to agree personal terms over a permanent move.
But those developments have been tempered by the news that influential loanee Ben Whiteman has been recalled by parent club Sheffield United.
A lack of current central midfield options has forced Blades manager Chris Wilder’s hand to recall Whiteman for the time being, but Rovers counterpart Ferguson remains hopeful that things could change by the end of the month and that Whiteman may yet return.
Ferguson said: “I was having lunch with my wife and kids and Chris Wilder’s name flashed up on my phone and I thought, ‘oh no.’
“I texted and said I would ring back in half an hour and it was the dreaded news.
“But he had no choice. I have a great relationship with Chris and Sheffield United. He has just got a shortage of bodies in that (midfield) department and made it known he wants a few in. But he cannot do it at the moment.
“He had to protect his own club and I understand that. There is the possibility that if he does do what he wants to in the market, we will get him back.”
On Houghton, Ferguson added: “It will be a loan, not a permanent. We did agree a deal with Chelsea, but could not agree personal terms.
“It is no problem. We will do the loan and, in the long run, that might be the best thing.”
Meanwhile, Ferguson is close to signing teenage Irish defender Shane Blaney, 18, from Finn Harps.