Report: Arsenal closing in on signing Sanfrecce Hiroshima's Takuma Asano

Arsenal is reportedly fishing in the J1 League.

A source told ESPN the club is edging closer to signing Takuma Asano from Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and would likely loan him out next season to gain more experience.

Asano, a 21-year-old striker who is nicknamed "The Jaguar," confessed on Thursday that he was approached by Arsenal about a move to the Emirates Stadium, saying: "I was a little stunned. But I feel like I have the confidence to succeed wherever I go." He added: "If I am loaned elsewhere, my take on it is that I give it 100 percent."

After scoring nine goals through 34 appearances to help Sanfrecce win the 2015 J1 League, Asano scored at the 2015 Club World Cup as the Japanese club finished third.