‘A new area’: why British clubs are increasingly turning to Asia to sign players

The article discusses the growing trend of British clubs, such as Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, turning to Asia to sign players. It highlights that this shift is driven by the recognition of the technical ability and potential of players from the "world's fastest growing talent pools," particularly in Japan and South Korea. The article notes that Arsène Wenger, the former Arsenal manager, was an early advocate of the Japanese talent market, citing the increasing number of Japanese players in the Bundesliga. The article then provides specific examples of recent signings, including Kota Takai joining Tottenham and South Korean players Paik Seung-ho and Park Seung-soo joining Birmingham and Newcastle, respectively. The article suggests that British clubs are increasingly looking to Asia as a new and competitive market for talent, as they seek to tap into the region's growing pool of technically skilled players.