Hayao Kawabe has been pictured in Standard Liege gear as the Wolves midfielder closes in on a £1.3 million move away from the Premier League outfit.
After successfully bringing in Isaac Price from Everton and former Tottenham Hotspur whizzkid Romaine Mundle, Belgian outfit Standard Liege are dipping their toes into a familiar market in pursuit of another new face.
Hayao Kawabe will become their third Premier League import of the window.
The five-time Japan international has not made a single appearance in 18 months at Wolves. The men from Molineux can at least celebrate a cool £800,000 profit, however; the former Grasshoppers ace setting Standard Liege back around £1.3 million (Express and Star).
Hayao Kawabe set for Wolves exit
According to Jupiler League reporter Sacha Tavolieri, Kawabe was at Standard Liege’s training ground on Friday morning to undergo medical tests and meet with his new team-mates.
Kawabe has also been pictured in Standard colours for the first time. He will reportedly sign an initial three-year deal.
Kawabe spent the entirety of last term on loan in Switzerland at Grasshoppers. He scored nine goals during an excellent campaign, earning a nomination for the club’s Player of the Year award.
“Hayao is a player we’ve watched a lot and he’s done really well this season,” Scott Sellars, Wolves technical director, said when signing Kawabe at the start of 2022.
“He’s an attacking midfield player; very energetic, very busy, and has good quality. He’s really shone at Grasshoppers this year, and he’s one of the main reasons they’re doing so well.
“Due to the GBE criteria for signing international players, Hayao is a player who is eligible to sign for a British club this month, but may not be in the future. Which is why we’ve moved now to confirm his signing.”
Ruben Neves and Nathan Collins have already left Wolves this summer. Daniel Podence and Max Kilman are attracting interest too, though Real Betis and Napoli may struggle to meet their respective price-tags.