Vissel Kobe defender Yuki Kobayashi is set to join Celtic in January with a fee already agreed, according to reports.
Media in Japan claim an agreement is in place for a switch to Ange Postecoglou' s side during the winter transfer window with a medical to follow soon then a contract. The 22-year-old is highly-rated in his homeland but is yet to land full international honours for the Japan national team - who are heading to the World Cup in a matter of weeks.
The Hoops have already had dealings with Vissel Kobe in the past with fans' favourite and star man Kyogo Furuhashi moving to the Scottish champions from the same club and it would see a reunion between the pair. The J-League has already proved a fruitful market for Celtic with Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi all arriving at the very start of January last year in a triple swoop.
READ MORE: Former Celtic star Leigh Griffiths considering future with free agent without a club for five months
Hatate has established himself as a key player in the midfield while Maeda has also proved to be a solid acquisition. Ideguchi has suffered on the injury front since his arrival in Glasgow but will be hoping to make an impact in training and force his way in.
Postecoglou has always stated a desire to get transfer business done early and it looks like his first signing of the transfer window is close to completion with Kobayashi heading in the door. The left-sided centre-back would provide competition for Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt, Moritz Jenz and Stephen Welsh.
Celtic retained their four point advantage over Rangers at the top of the Premiership after a 3-0 win over Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena yesterday. Kyogo, Greg Taylor and the returning Jota grabbed the goals.
The result followed the Light Blues' 4-1 home success over Aberdeen 24 hours previous.
READ NEXT:
- Tommy McIntyre swaps Celtic for Queen's Park as highly-rated coach explains 'innovative' move
- Chris Sutton defends Celtic after Jason Cundy's 'fourth tier' blast Ally McCoist agreed with
- Celtic and Rangers handed new path to Premier League breakaway with madcap 100,000 stadium plan
- Callum McGregor's Celtic return draws nearer as injured captain's dressing room influence revealed
