Rovers are closing in on the signing of Japanese attacker Yuki Ohashi, The Lancashire Telegraph understands.

The 27-year-old is expected to fly over for a medical shortly and the figure is understood to be six figures rather than the £1million reported in Japan.

Ohashi plies his trade in the J-League for Sanfrecce Hiroshima. He is their top-scorer in the current season, netting 11 goals and registering three assists in 24 matches plus an extra five in cup competitions.

Rovers have been keen to bolster their attack ahead of the upcoming season and with Ipswich now chasing Sam Szmodics, there is an even greater urgency to bring in new faces.

A work permit would need to be sorted for Ohashi to play in the Championship. That should be a formality with four ESC slots available, which can used for players who would not otherwise qualify for a work permit under the new post-Brexit rules.

Leopold Wahlstedt and Semir Telalovic took up two of those last season but both left the club this summer to join Aarhus and Ulm respectively.

While Rovers’ budget is limited, it has never categorically been restricted to free transfers and loan deals.

Should the Ohashi deal get over the line, he will become the club’s first senior signing of the summer as they aim to build on last term's 19th-place finish, beating the drop on the final day following victory at champions Leicester.

We caught up with Japanese football writer Dan Orlowitz to get the lowdown on what Ohashi would bring to Ewood Park.