Tottenham Hotspur are now closing in on the signing of Kawasaki Frontale defender Kota Takai.
The likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid were also interested in the 20-year-old this summer, but Tottenham have won the race for Takai.
Takai is considered to be one of the most talented young prospects to emerge from Asian football in recent years, a defender who has already won four caps for Japan.
Takai is currently in the middle of the J-League season with Kawasaki Frontale, but the defender is expected to arrive in north London next month.
The plan is for the youngster to be part of Thomas Frank’s first team initially, before a decision is perhaps then taken with regard to where he plays his football across the league season.
Tottenham fans given expert insight into new signing Kota Takai
That being said, TBR Football have spoken to Japanese football expert Sam Robson to get an insight into Takai’s style, and how he might fit in at Spurs.
Robson said it was pretty ‘unheard of’ for a player of Takai’s age to have already played for Japan’s national team, and the J-League expert also provided an interesting comparison to Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu at a similar age.
Robson said: “I’ve already seen a bit of Takai. He’s capped by Japan already which for a 20 year old defender is pretty much unheard of in Japan.
“He’s a bit over eager in the tackle, dives in a little too much, but his positioning is very good and one of if not the best defender in possession in the league.
“Talk of a record fee for a J.Leaguer. I don’t think he would be a likely starter for Spurs this year, would probably need a year out on loan.
“He’s better at this age than Tomiyasu was in some respects. Tomiyasu was probably a better fit to the Premier League physically, although ironically, the Arsenal man cannot stay fit.”
Kota Takai can compete with Luka Vuskovic at Spurs
Given that Takai is a right-footed centre-back, perhaps some Tottenham fans are already wondering if the Japan international is being lined up as Cristian Romero’s long-term replacement.
Romero is ready to leave Tottenham according to TBR Football’s information, even if it remains to be seen what happens with his future.
Micky van de Ven obviously has his first team slot cemented for the years to come, and perhaps Takai might eventually slot in alongside him.
Of course, Tottenham were impressed by Luka Vuskovic out on loan last season and he too might be hoping to partner Van de Ven in the near future.
Clearly it’s a very healthy situation for Frank to inherit, even if Ange Postecoglou’s options at the back often looked short last season.