Bobby Valentine, considered a likely replacement for outgoing Chiba Lotte Marines manager Koji Yamamoto for the Lotte Marines, will arrive in Japan on Saturday with the aim of landing a contract with the Pacific League club.
Lotte deputy owner Akio Shigemitsu said he would like to start negotiations on a contract with Valentine and possibly reach an agreement as early as Sunday.
"He is coming here because he is interested in signing a contract," said Shigemitsu, adding that he hoped to seal a deal with Valentine of three to five years.