Dean Jones has told Give Me Sport that he expects Celtic to complete a move to sign Vissel Kobe defender Yuki Kobayashi – with reports conflicting over whether Celtic will actually have to spend anything to sign the left-footer.
Kobayashi, 22, has been excellent since joining one of Japan’s biggest sides. He has clocked up 78 appearances for the J-League side. Vissel Kobe finished 13th but the young centre-back was one of his best players during the 2022 term.
The Japan Under-21 international played alongside Kyogo Furuhashi at Vissel Kobe. TransferMarkt also say he shares the same agent as Celtic player Yosuke Ideguchi. Celtic are interested in signing Kobayashi to add depth in defence.
But there are different reports over the value. TransferMarkt say he is out of contract at the end of January, and Nikkan Sports claim Celtic will get him for nothing. But the Scottish Express say a transfer will set Celtic back £1.5million.
Jones says it is a deal that is likely to go through: “This one should go ahead, and Celtic fans should be excited by it. He’ll add a real steel to the squad and the team. He can also dictate games, which will be really interesting to see.”
Jones expects Celtic to complete move to sign Kobayashi
Do Celtic need another central defender? They have the excellent Cameron Carter-Vickers, a Sweden international in Carl Starfelt, the impressive Moritz Jenz and then, Stephen Welsh as cover. But Celtic’s fixture load is huge.
Without European football after Christmas, that will die down. Jenz is only on loan – but they are expected to sign him permanently. What Kobayashi will give Celtic is a player with potential, but also cover on the left side of the defence.
Whether he will be on a free, or for £1.5million, it is a deal worth doing. Celtic have had success from Japanese football in Kyogo, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate. Ideguchi, not so much. But Kobayashi looks a player.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
