Scottish champions Celtic are seemingly already eyeing potential January strikes, with supervisor Ange Postecoglou having admitted that the Hoops have accomplished a lot of their preparation for when the market re-opens.
The winter window proved significantly fruitful earlier this yr because the Previous Agency giants introduced in MK Dons playmaker Matt O’Riley for simply £1.5m, having additionally accomplished a triple J-League swoop with the additions of Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi.
That latter trio might nicely be joined by one other Japanese colleague within the type of Vissel Kobe starlet, Yuki Kobayashi, with the rising centre-back believed to be on his approach to Parkhead within the New 12 months, based on the newest stories.
In response to latest speculation within the participant’s homeland, the 22-year-old’s transfer to Glasgow is now all however confirmed, with the Scottish Premiership aspect set to accumulate the highly-rated prospect on a free switch, with the defender’s existing deal set to run out in January.
To usher in the promising teenager on a free might nicely show to be one thing of a coup so far as Postecoglou and co are involved, with journalist Sacha Pisani having advised it’s “madness” that the Bhoys are set to land him for nothing.
Whereas one thing of an unknown to most in Scotland, the assumption is that the 6 foot 1 sensation might go on to impress in his new environment, with the aforementioned Pisani notably stating of his skills: “Yuki’s good within the air. Reads/anticipates sport nicely. Snug on ball as left-footer & superb at blocking photographs. A whole lot of upside.”
The previous Japan U20 worldwide – who has racked up 78 appearances for his present aspect up to now at senior stage – would supply a singular different for these at Celtic Park as a left-footed choice at centre-back, providing a doubtlessly extra balanced match to the membership’s backline.
Kobayashi’s introduction at left centre-back might nicely see the Hyogo-born machine kind a stellar partnership with full-back, Greg Taylor, with the Scotland worldwide having been in high quality kind on the left of the defence thus far this time period.
The 25-year-old – who has supplied four aim contributions this season – has been lauded for his shows by each followers, teammates and pundits alike, with ex-Hoops playmaker Kris Commons notably dubbing him the “most improved player in Scotland” amid his latest resurgence.
The diminutive ace was additionally praised for being “very, very consistent” by the aforementioned O’Riley earlier this season, whereas the ten-cap gem himself has admitted he has improved “insane amounts” since first arriving from Kilmarnock again in 2019.
With Taylor having seemingly nailed down the left-back berth – regardless of the signing of Alexandro Bernabei – the £8.2k-per-week menace might nicely be the person to assist information Kobayashi if he’s to affix the membership within the winter window, serving to to kind what may very well be an ‘insane’ and spectacular duo on the left aspect of the defensive unit.