Japan midfielder Genki Haraguchi appears set to move from Hertha Berlin to Hannover, with the two Bundesliga sides on the verge of a transfer deal, German media reported Monday.
According to soccer magazine Kicker, Hannover has agreed to pay a transfer fee of about €5 million (about $5.86 million), after initially making an offer of €3 million.
The two sides are reportedly aiming to conclude the deal before the start of the World Cup, which kicks off June 14 in Russia.
Other German and overseas clubs had shown interest in the 27-year-old, but all appear to have dropped out of the race for his signature, the magazine reported.
Haraguchi played the second half of the German season on loan with second-division side Fortuna Dusseldorf after requesting an opportunity for more playing time ahead of the World Cup.
Playing alongside Samurai Blue teammate Takashi Usami, Haraguchi helped Fortuna win the second-division championship and earn promotion to the Bundesliga.