It was revealed on 10 August that Hamburger SV defender Gotoku Sakai’s transfer to Vissel Kobe is approaching fruition.

According to multiple parties, Sakai is scheduled to be back in Japan in a day or two to sort out the final details of the negotiations.

Sakai, who is no longer wanted by the German second division side, had earlier stated his desire to continue playing overseas in Spain or Turkey, while Kobe are currently reorganising their defence and see the former Japan international as the missing piece of their defensive puzzle. The J1 club had tried to sign him last winter.

The J.League summer transfer window closes on 16 August. If the move is successful, Sakai will return to the J.League for the first time in eight years.

For Japanese football news: CoolJapan Soccer

Source: Yahoo

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