Leeds United midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi is edging closer to departing the club, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The Japan international joined in January 2018 and put pen to paper on a long-term contract, but has failed to make a single first-team appearance for the Whites.
Leeds are reportedly in negotiations with Ideguchi’s former club Gamba Osaka, who are keen to bring him back to the club after sanctioning his exit just 18 months ago.
A loan spell with Spanish outfit Cultural Leonesa failed to yield sufficient first-team action, before his development was further halted by a knee ligament injury, sustained whilst on loan at German side Greuther Furth.
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa sees no place for the 22-year-old in his plans, which can be understood considering that the club are well-stocked in the central midfield department.
The Championship side are likely to be keen to offload a number of other senior players this summer, as preparations begin for another assault on promotion from the second tier. The likes of Laurens De Bock and Pawel Cibicki are also reported to be on the verge of leaving after failing to make the grade at Elland Road. The futures of senior goalkeepers Kiko Casilla and Bailey Peacock-Farrell also seem uncertain.
Meanwhile, Leeds have reportedly began assessing transfer targets ahead of the 2019/20 campaign. Links have been made between the Whites and Fenerbahce frontman Michael Frey, whilst Carlisle United’s Liam McCarron is also said to be on the club’s radar.
