Journalist Dan Orlowitz has claimed that rumoured Celtic transfer target Yuki Kobayashi would be a great fit for manager Ange Postecoglou.
According to reports from Japan (via Daily Mail), the 22-year-old could be on his way to Scotland soon enough. Indeed, it is claimed that an agreement is close on a deal for the central defender.
Kobayashi currently plays for Vissel Kobe and a January move to Celtic would see him join other Japanese stars Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi, Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi in the Scottish Premiership.
While speaking about the possible deal on the Celts Are Here podcast, Orlowitz – who writes for The Japan Times – seemed to enthuse about the prospect.
Indeed, he said: “I think he potentially brings a lot of what Ange Postecoglou is going to be looking for in terms of contributing to the build-up. He’s not necessarily a shot-taker, but he can force turnovers, he can set up passes, he can move the ball forward.
“He’s got very good tactical awareness. I think he’s not the kind of player who will rush into a tackle. I think he’s very intelligent. He is still young, he is prone to mistakes.
He then added: “I think in terms of young prospects, players who we expect to make an impact going forward, be in the national team picture even – he’s certainly up there.
“So this is a very astute bit of scouting from Celtic if this goes through, which by all counts, it looks like it will.”
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TIF Thoughts on Yuki Kobayashi and Celtic…
Seeing as so many Japanese players have followed Postecoglou to Scotland in recent times – with the Australian having managed Yokohama F. Marinos in the J1 League before heading to Celtic – it certainly seems as though he knows how to target the best talent from that part of the world.
And judging from Orlowitz’s latest comments, it seems as though the Bhoys could have a future gem on their hands if they do indeed sign Kobayashi in the January transfer market.
The Japan U21 international is still only young but looks to have a bright future. Despite his age, he has already established himself as a regular for Vissel Kobe, playing 77 times for the club captained by football legend Andres Iniesta.
It sounds like this deal will probably happen and so Celtic fans have pretty good cause to be excited.