Celtic are interested in Nurnburg ace Kanji Okunuki but a January move to the Scottish Premiership champions is ‘unlikely’ for the Japanese playmaker.
That is the view of German publication BILD. Patience required in Celtic’s latest pursuit of another player making his name in Europe after graduating from the J-League.
Kanji Okunuki, according to Sky Deutschland, has been watched ‘intensively’ by Brendan Rodgers’ side since joining Bundesliga.2 outfit FC Nurnberg over the summer. But, while a move to Scotland would likely earn Nurnberg a sizeable profit, BILD believe that Cristian Fiel’s side are ‘rather unlikely’ to cash in just seven months after signing the elegant 24-year-old from Omiya Ardija.
Celtic eye Kanji Okunuki
“It’s difficult to defend against him,” Fiel says, via Yahoo Japan. “He’s quick and agile in one-v-one situations. And he has the potential to get even better.”
A skilful, subtle attacking midfielder arguably at his most effective when drifting in from the left like Luis Palma and departed fans’ favourite Jota, Okunuki has been likened to Brighton and Hove Albion maverick Kaoru Mitoma due to his eye for goal and his balletic ball-carrying ability.
Okunuki prides himself upon his penchant for bamboozling opposition defenders in one-v-one situations. An attribute which would prove useful at a Celtic outfit used to coming up against tight-knit, massed-ranked defences on a weekly basis.
‘I had a dream’
“Ever since I was in school, it has been my dream to play overseas,” Okunuki told Soccer King. “I used to watch a lot of overseas soccer, especially the Premier League. I had a dream of playing overseas when I saw players cutting things apart with their dribbles.
“My strengths (are my) dribbling. Now, when I have a one-on-one situation, I feel like I can almost completely get out of it. The other issue is the moment after dribbling past (the defender), and the numbers such as goals and assists.”
Okunuki has four goals and two assists for Nurnberg so far. A January departure may be unlikely. But maintain his recent progress and Celtic could soon be welcoming another Japanese talent to a dressing room full of Far Eastern imports.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
