Kashima Antlers playmakerGaku Shibasaki - who scored a brace against Real Madrid in theClub World Final - could be in line for a move to La Liga in January after it emerged that he will become a free-agent, according toreports.
The 24-year-old stunned Los Blancos on Sunday with a quick-fire double either side of half-time, but fortunatelyfor Zinedine Zidane's side, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to end the game 4-2.
Shibasaki was the subject of interest from a number of clubs from Germany and Spain in the summer, but he opted to stay at Kashima, winning the title in the process.
Before the final he told reporters:We as professional players have the responsibility to make the youngest dream. I will do everything possible to make everyone who will see us play tomorrow dream.
09': R Madrid 1-0 Kashima
44': R Madrid 1-1 Kashima
52': R Madrid 1-2 Kashima
Gaku Shibasaki nets twice in just 8 minutes against Madrid! pic.twitter.com/elvNg2At8I
Japanese football does not enjoy the same attention as Europe, and I believe at least we would need 10 more years to be at that level.
We would like to aim to be the Japanese Real Madrid.�
The talented youngster can play in a playmaker role as well as a deep-lying midfielder; his versatility and ability saw him become the J League's best rookie in 2012 and he has gone from strength to strength ever since.