Fulham’s bid to bring Junichi Inamoto back to Craven Cottage now appears to be dead in the water after Gamba Osaka refused to budge from their asking price.
Inamoto has spent the past two seasons on loan at Fulham and Chris Coleman is keen to sign the Japan international on a permanent basis.
Coleman conceded last week that he was unlikely to clinch the transfer as he did not agree with Gamba’s valuation of the midfielder.
The 24-year-old is currently sidelined with a broken leg and it appears The Cottagers were looking to snare Inamoto for a knockdown fee.
But Gamba are seeking £2 million for the former Arsenal loanee and are adamant they will not accept less for the player.
Instead, Gamba are confident the industrious midfielder’s price will rise once he has recovered from the injury sustained in the June friendly against England.
“We received a fax from Fulham, declining the deal,” said Gamba president Izumi Sano.
“Fulham say they cannot spend money on a player who has to be sidelined for at least three months.
“Fulham have also proposed signing Inamoto with no transfer fee but I don’t think we can accept such an offer.
“His valuation will surely rise if he plays well again with Gamba and Japan and we want to help him to do it.”
