Saints eye Asian star

Championship leaders Southampton are reportedly close to signing Japan international Tadanari Lee in January.

Southampton reportedly in talks with Sanfrecce Hiroshima over striker

Championship leaders Southampton are reportedly close to signing Japan international Tadanari Lee in January. According to reports in the Far East, representatives of Tadanari and the Championship side are currently in advanced talks over a possible move. If discussions are successful, the deal is expected to be announced next week and the 26-year-old will immediately link up with his new team-mates at St Mary's. Born to ethnic Korean residents in Japan, Tadanari has become a regular at international level after strong displays for Sanfrecce Hiroshima over the past two seasons. And there should be few complications with a work-permit application for Tadanri, as he is a regular with Japan who are ranked 19th in FIFA's rankings. Several French clubs are also believed to be keeping tabs on the forward if the rumoured switch to Southampton falls through.