Sanfrecce Hiroshima striker Tadanari Lee is set to join English Championship side Southampton in the January transfer period, according to Nikkan and other Japanese media, with an offer from Nigel Adkins‘ side reportedly on the table.
Other sources including Asahi report that the two sides have already come to a basic agreement, and that Lee will travel to England in early January to complete a physical and sign his contract.
Lee, who was born in Tokyo to Korean parents, scored 15 goals this season for Sanfrecce. With the club in financial trouble, many believed that he would leave in January with clubs in his homeland, France, and Germany all said to be in pursuit.Urawa Reds, in particular, hoped to attract the attacker after hiring former Sanfrecce coach Mihailo Petrovic.
As with many other Japanese players who have been linked to English clubs, some questions remain as to whether or not Lee fulfills the minimum required appearances for Japan’s national team in the last two years to qualify for a work permit. However, Sponichi claim that the Purple Archer will be granted an exception after earning 10 caps for Japan in 2011.
The highlight of Lee’s international year was undoubtedly January’s Asian Cup final, when the late substitute skillfully volleyed a cross from Yuto Nagatomo to score the game’s lone goal against Australia.
He would join former Urawa Reds man Yuki Abe, a defender for Leicester City, in England’s second tier. The two could potentially face off as early as January 24 when Southampton, who currently lead the division, will play host to the Foxes.
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