Ange Postecoglou wants Celtic to hit the ground running in the January transfer window, but denies they are close to signing Reo Hatate or Daizen Maeda, via The Scottish Sun.
The Bhoys boss is currently focused on finalising his shortlist for mid-season targets and establishing the groundwork for any moves.
Celtic are understood to be lining up a deal for Kawasaki Frontale left-back Hatate to move to Parkhead. While the Premiership giants are likely to raid Postecoglou’s former J1 League side Yokohama F. Marinos for star attacker Maeda.
Reports by The Times claim Celtic expect Maeda to reunite with Postecoglou in the January transfer market. They may even strike a deal for the 24-year-old before the window opens.
While Football Scotland note Celtic are in talks with Hatate’s agent over a free transfer. The 23-year-old’s contract with Kawasaki Frontale will expire at the end of January.
But Postecoglou denies Celtic are close to signing either Hatate or Maeda, and has other potential transfer targets in mind.
“There will be plenty of names [linked] before January,” Postecoglou said. “We are working towards them and we know what we need.
“We want to make sure we are well organised long before then, so we are going to identify targets and we will be talking to quite a few. But we are not negotiating or close to signing anyone right now.
“There will be plenty of people putting their name forward because this is an attractive destination at the moment. But we are just focused on being organised in January.”
Should Celtic and Postecoglou seal January transfers for Hatate or Maeda?
Postecoglou is likely looking at Hatate to improve Celtic’s left-back options in the January transfer market, having relied on right-back Josip Juranovic after Greg Taylor’s injury issues.
Hatate has proven to be a dynamic and creative full-back with Kawasaki Frontale this year. The full-back – who earned a maiden senior Japan call-up this month – has scored five and assisted three goals so far. He also assisted once at the Tokyo Olympics this summer.
Maeda, meanwhile, can bolster Celtic’s attack if the Yokohama star completes a January transfer to reunite with Postecoglou at Parkhead.
The two-cap Japan international has scored 21 goals and assisted three over 33 J1 League games this year. Of those, nine goals and two assists came in 16 games with Postecoglou.
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