Japan FA chief Koji Sorimachi expects the Samurai Blue will replace Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate if either player joins Celtic in a January transfer, via quotes by the Glasgow Times.
Head coach Hajime Moriyasu on Tuesday named Maeda and Hatate in his squad to face Uzbekistan on January 21. The fixture is a warm-up ahead of their World Cup qualifiers with China and Saudi Arabia later in the month, with Japan second with four games left.
Moriyasu has included 22 J1-League based players in his squad and overlooked overseas players due to Covid restrictions. But Japan will not force any player to honour the call-up if a member of the squad seals a transfer before Uzbekistan travel to the Saitama Stadium.
Maeda ended the 2021 J1-League season as the division’s joint-top scorer with 23 goals in 36 games. Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi also ranked third with 15 goals in 21 games for Vissel Kobe, despite the 26-year-old moving to Parkhead in a £4.5m transfer back in July.
Hatate, meanwhile, helped Kawasaki Frontale win the title with a 13-point advantage over Maeda’s second-placed Yokohama F Marinos. The pair may now join compatriot Furuhashi in Glasgow next month, as Ange Postecoglou targets further signings.
Reports by the Daily Record claim Postecoglou is desperate for Celtic to sign Hatate before the January transfer window opens. He believes the defender can solve the Bhoys’ issues at the left-back following Greg Taylor’s injury troubles this season.
Postecoglou also wants Maeda to help bolster the Celtic attack with a January transfer. But the Daily Record believe Yokohama F Marinos want a ‘substantial’ £3m fee for them to sell.
Sorimachi aware of Celtic transfer interest in Maeda and Hatate
Japan FA chief Sorimachi is aware of the reports linking Celtic with January transfers for Maeda and Hatate. He has also confirmed the Samurai Blue’s stance on Moriyasu naming replacements should a player complete a move next month.
“I have heard that there are rumours of a transfer,” Sorimachi said. “In that case, additional domestic players will be called-up.”
Postecoglou may consider Sorimachi’s comments as a boost in Celtic’s transfer pursuits of Maeda and Hatate. The Japan FA chief is seemingly aware both may leave the country next month, when international duty could otherwise restrict the Bhoys’ chances of a deal.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
