Shinji Kagawa set to leave Borussia Dortmund for a second time

The Japanese international has only made four appearances this season.

Shinji Kagawa looks set to leave Borussia Dortmund for a second time, with reports claiming he is closing in on a deal with AS Monaco. According to Sky Sports, the 29-year-old is thought to be on the cusp of a loan move to the struggling Ligue 1 side, who will have an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season. Kagawa first played for Dortmund in 2010 following a transfer from Cerezo Osaka in his homeland. His form in Germany attracted the attention of Manchester United, with Alex Ferguson signing him in 2012. Despite becoming the first Asian player to score a Premier League hat-trick, Kagawa struggled to establish himself as a regular starter at Old Trafford and was eventually sold back to Dortmund by Louis van Gaal in 2014. His limited playing time this season has seen plenty of rumours that he would leave the Bundesliga leaders in January, with Kagawa confirming his interest in a move to Spain two months ago. Though a transfer to LaLiga has failed to materialise, it does now appear that he will join Monaco imminently. Monaco are only a point above Guingamp at the bottom of Ligue 1 after a disastrous season so far. Thierry Henry was 'suspended' as manager last week having been unable to reverse the club's fortunes. Leonardo Jardim, the man Henry replaced in October, has been reappointed as the club look to avoid relegation from the French top flight. Kagawa will join Cesc Fabregas at the Stade Louis II, the Spaniard moving to the club fro Chelsea earlier this month.