Club are preparing to sell 25-year-old to Celtic, replacement already found

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Celtic appear to be closing in on Gamba Osaka midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi after the J1 League side moved in for a replacement.

Ideguchi has been linked with a move to Celtic for some time now, and it looks like the deal is moving closer.

Hochi report that Ideguchi is set to be sold to Celtic with the January transfer window set to open.

Gamba Osaka are now moving forward with plans to replace Ideguchi having teed up a deal for Mitsuki Saito.

Saito is joining from Shonan Bellmare having spent time in Russia with Rubin Kazan.

A central midfield player, it’s assumed that Saito will now come in to replace Ideguchi as he prepares to join Celtic.

Daizen Maeda is already coming in from Yokohama F Marinos, and more Japanese recruits could join Kyogo Furuhashi.

Midfielder Ideguchi could be next, returning to the UK having previously spent time with Leeds United.

25-year-old Ideguchi failed to break through at Leeds but has impressed in Japan since returning to Gamba Osaka.

A holding or box-to-box player, Ideguchi adds valuable depth in midfield for Ange Postecoglou.

We would now expect to see Celtic finalise the Ideguchi move early in January as Postecoglou seeks quick signings.