Stuttgart in chase for Sakai

Bundesliga club Stuttgart has officially made an offer to acquire Albirex Niigata defender Gotoku Sakai in the winter transfer window.

According to officials with knowledge of the deal, earlier this season the German club secretly dispatched Tomislav Maric, a player-turned-scout who once played in Japan for Urawa Reds, to Japan in order to observe the youngster.

Having given his seal of approval, Stuttgart entered negotiations with Sakai and Albirex and are presently hammering out details including a transfer fee, according to Sponichi.

Born in New York City to a German mother and Japanese father, Sakai has emerged in the last two years as one of Japan’s brightest prospects at left back. The 20-year-old was a support member for Japan’s 2010 World Cup squad, and has become a regular member of Japan’s Under-23 team as they aim to qualify for next year’s London Olympics.

The move would allow the starlet to link with fellow countryman Shinji Okazaki, who moved to Stuttgart last winter from Shimizu S-Pulse.

Sakai has also been linked to other European clubs including Serie A’s Cesena, who were responsible for bringing Samurai Blue star Yuto Nagatomo to Europe.