Takahara requests move

Hamburg's Japanese forward Naohiro Takahara is desperate to leave the club

Hamburg's Japanese international forward Naohiro Takahara is desperate to leave the club.

Despite being a regular starter under previous coach Kurt Jara, Takahara has failed to convince new boss Klaus Toppmoller to hand him a place in his team's injury plagued squad.

Toppi, who was without strikers Benjamin Lauth and Bernado Romeo, overlooked Takahara in favour of Belarusian youngster Vyacheslav Hleb and 17-year-old Mustafa Kucukovic for his side's 1-0 defeat at Stuttgart.

Hamburg's spokesman Jorn Wolf has confirmed that the former Jubilo Iwata and Boca Juniors striker has asked the club to allow him to leave during the winter transfer period.

"However, so far no team has shown an interest in him," said Wolf.