Fulham head the queue for Inamoto

Fulham are leading the chase to sign Japan World Cup star and former Arsenal misfit Junichi Inamoto.

Club executives have made contact with representatives of the 22-year-old, and are confident of recruiting him provided his wage demands are not too high.

J-League club Gamba Osaka claim they still hold Inamoto's registration, and that he is available on loan - with a £3 million option to buy after a year.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger decided to let the midfielder go last month - since when Inamoto has been a revelation for Japan at the World Cup finals, scoring twice, and winning two man-of-the-match awards as the cohosts qualified for the knockout stages for the first time.

Inamoto, speaking about his time at Highbury, said: "I thought I had the qualities to make it in England. It is very physical, but I can cope. I always gave 100 per cent but other players were on a much higher level."

Meanwhile, Charlton will not be signing the out-of-contract Ireland defender Gary Breen despite his impressive displays at the World Cup. Chairman Richard Murray said of reported interest in the former Coventry player: "We have several good central defenders, and are not looking to add to them."