REPORT: Phil Hay confirms real reason Leeds missed out on signing Japanese fullback Daiki Hashioka as PL side hijack deal after Whites hesitate to seal player signing
Luton Town have now agreed a deal to sign Daiki Hashioka despite Leeds United making an approach after talks were held in the past 24 hours, according to Phil Hay.
Daniel Farke is said to be “keen” to strengthen his side, but the Whites have reportedly fallen behind on this move amid unease over the Japanese defender having picked up an injury issue which saw him withdrawn in the 2-1 defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise on 21 January.
Hay wrote on Twitter: “Strong links earlier between Leeds United and Japan right-back Daiki Hashioka. Luton Town firm favourites to sign him as it stands. Understanding is that Leeds had concerns over an injury picked up on his last appearance.”
In his update on The Athletic’s live-blog he reported: “Leeds United had made an approach to sign Hashioka, with Daniel Farke keen to strengthen his side in the January transfer window.
“However, the Championship side were concerned about a potential injury he sustained in his side’s match against Royale Union SG.”
Well, it looked like the injury isn’t that serious after all with the player only reportedly withdrawn as precaution.
It looks like a disappointing development at this point for the Whites to seemingly be on the brink of a new defender for much of the day only to see him head to the Premier League instead.
If Leeds United made an approach they were clearly taken by the 24-year-old, and Farke definitely needs defensive reinforcements after losing Djed Spence and Luke Ayling this month.
But if the club had pushed to bring him in only to find that the fitness issue kept him out for an extended period of time it would have been all the more furstrating.
Hashioka missed STVV’s 1-1 draw with Genk on Sunday (28 January), but the longer-term outlook will only become clear if he heads to Kenilworth Road before the deadline and then when he subsequently features.
Perhaps Luton would have won the race to sign the Japan international either way as a current Premier League side, and he may prove to be a quality addition that the club have missed out on.
But he doesn’t look like he will be heading to Elland Road so Farke and his recruitment team need to react quickly while there is still time before the deadline.
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