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 notably fruitful earlier this 12 months because the Old Firm 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 may nicely be joined by one other Japanese colleague within the form of Vissel Kobe starlet, Yuki Kobayashi, with the rising centre-back believed to be on his solution to Parkhead within the New Year, based on the newest studies.
According to current speculation within the participant’s homeland, the 22-year-old’s transfer to Glasgow is now all however confirmed, with the Scottish Premiership facet set to accumulate the highly-rated prospect on a free switch, with the defender’s existing deal set to run out in January.
To carry within the promising teenager on a free may 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.
While one thing of an unknown to most in Scotland, the idea is that the 6 foot 1 sensation may go on to impress in his new environment, with the aforementioned Pisani notably stating of his abilities: “Yuki’s good in the air. Reads/anticipates game well. Comfortable on ball as left-footer & very good at blocking shots. A lot of upside.”
The former Japan U20 worldwide – who has racked up 78 appearances for his present facet up to now at senior degree – would provide a novel different for these at Celtic Park as a left-footed possibility at centre-back, providing a doubtlessly extra balanced match to the membership’s backline.
Kobayashi’s introduction at left centre-back may nicely see the Hyogo-born machine form a stellar partnership with full-back, Greg Taylor, with the Scotland worldwide having been in high-quality form on the left of the defence to date this time period.
The 25-year-old – who has offered four purpose 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 current 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 may nicely be the person to assist information Kobayashi if he’s to hitch the membership within the winter window, serving to to form what could possibly be an ‘insane’ and spectacular duo on the left facet of the defensive unit.