Japan international Takuma Asano claims to have received Arsenal approach

Japan international Takuma Asano claims he has been approached by Arsenal over a possible move to the Premier League.

Reports today emerged from Japan suggesting that Arsenal were interested in signing the 21-year-old striker, currently playing at J-League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Asano would be unlikely to be Arsenal’s sole striking signing of the summer, with Arsene Wenger considering reviving his interest in Alvaro Morata after failing in his pursuit of Leicester’s Jamie Vardy.

Speaking after his country’s 4-1 victory over South Africa in a warm-up for the Rio Olympics Asano claimed that the Gunners had been in touch over a possible move but acknowledged he may not be an immediate first-choice were he to move to the Emirates.

“I was a little stunned,” he told reporters. “But I feel like I have the confidence to succeed wherever I go.

“If I am loaned elsewhere, my take on it is that I give it 100 percent.”

Asano has made 56 appearances for Sanfrecce Hiroshima, scoring 11 goals. He made his Japanese debut in August 2015, since when he has managed one goal over five caps.

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