Lille close to signing Japan striker Ayase Ueda

Lille are edging towards the signing of Japan international Ayase Ueda, the Feyenoord Rotterdam forward, according to L’Équipe (confirming what De Telegraaf had already reported). The deal is expected to be in the region of €15 million.

The club, led by Olivier Létang, wants an answer for the attack before sanctioning a move that would see Matias Fernandez-Pardo head to England. In that context, the Lille board believes Ueda can step in to cover the need created by the prospective forward departures discussed in the reporting.

A proven top scorer

Ueda arrives with strong output: 43 caps and 18 goals for his national team, and last season he finished as Eredivisie’s top scorer with 25 goals. L’Équipe also points out that he has 40 league goals in 82 Eredivisie appearances for Feyenoord, and that he was on the scoresheet on Sunday in a 2-2 draw with ADO Den Haag.

As per the same source, Ueda reportedly said his goodbyes to teammates after that match, even though he still had two years left on his Feyenoord contract. He joined Rotterdam in the summer of 2023 for €8 million.

Medical next, then commitment

The next step is the medical: Ueda will undergo his medical on Monday before signing for Lille. Létang was in Rotterdam this Sunday to finalise the transfer, which, according to L’Équipe, took shape in the middle of last week.