Celtic want Yuki Kobayashi and Vissel Kobe are now seemingly expecting to lose the defender as Ange Postecoglou eyes another Japanese signing.
The Bhoys have really reaped the rewards of the Japanese market since luring Postecoglou away from Yokohama F. Marinos in 2021.
Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate have become stars since joining Celtic whilst Daizen Maeda is a great fit for Postecoglou’s pressing style.
Yosuke Ideguchi hasn’t quite made an impact yet but Celtic could now and turn four Japanese arrivals into five.
Celtic want Yuki Kobayashi
The Daily Mail claimed last week that Celtic have opened talks with Vissel Kobe over a deal to sign Kobayashi during the January window.
The Scottish Daily Express then suggested that Kobayashi is ‘very keen’ to join Celtic and that a deal would cost around £1.5million.
Kobayashi was in action on Saturday as Vissel Kobe lost 3-1 to Yokohama F. Marinos, who won the title with that victory.
Vissel Kobe’s season is now over and that means the attention is already turning towards the January window.
Kobe-based newspaper Kobe Shimbun now report that one Vissel executive has stated ‘it’s hard to keep him’ when asked about Kobayashi.
It’s added that Kobayashi is ‘almost certain’ to join Celtic with Vissel Kobe now seemingly resigned to losing the defender.
Nikkan Sports add that Kobayashi is actually going to join Celtic for absolutely nothing because his contract is up.
Transfermarket suggest that Kobayashi’s deal only expires on January 31st.
That may mean that Celtic sort out a pre-contract agreement for the 22-year-old and then he will officially become a Celtic player before February.
A left-sided defender with ability on the ball, Kobayashi will add to Celtic’s defensive depth and add another exciting talent to the Bhoys’s ever-growing Japanese contingent.
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