Yosuke Ideguchi and Daizen Maeda are apparently already in Europe and about to undergo medicals ahead of joining Celtic.
That is the breakthrough news tonight from Japan with Dan Orlowitz happy to iron out any inconsistencies in translation.
There has been a steady stream of news on the deals coming out of Japan this month as Ange Postecoglou looks to give Celtic a mid-winter boost in his bid to deliver the SPFL title.
During the summer just one of 12 Celtic transfers came from the J-League but it looks like the January window will be concentrated on Japan with their clubs currently in the close season.
Sponichi: “Final countdown” for Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi, who have gotten their work permits and flown to Europe for medicals ahead of joining Celtic.
Reo Hatate expected to fly over “in the new year.”https://t.co/JbG9RxYjB7
— x Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) December 30, 2021
Yahoo Japan News reports:
It was revealed on the 30th that Gamba?Osaka midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi (25) and Yokohama forward Daizen Maeda (24) have already entered Europe for the transfer to Celtic in the first division of Scotland . A formal contract is expected after the medical check, and a press conference will be held soon. After successfully passing the work visa examination, I went to Europe and joined the countdown. Ideguchi is a complete transfer and the club prepares a penalty of over 1 million euros (about 130 million yen). Maeda says that the transfer fee will be about 1.8 million euros (about 235 million yen) with a loan transfer assuming a complete transfer next summer. In addition, Kawasaki Frontale forward Reo Hatate (24), who is also determined to transfer, is scheduled to leave Japan at the beginning of the year. FW Furuhashi also belongs to Celtic, and four Japanese players will be able to fight together.
It seems that work permits/visas have been cleared despite some uncertainty over the post Brexit status of footballers coming to Scotland.
If both players are announced next week it will give Postecogou a big boost as his squad reassembles for the SPFL Premiership campaign starting on January 17 with the visit of Hibs and the chance to cut the gap at the top down to three points before Giovanni van Bronckhorst takes his squad to Aberdeen.
Sponichi’s not always 100% but I think the story’s developing at a stage where they have no reason to publish bullshit.
And for me, get pumped for Maeda now but give Hatate time and he’s going to grow into a terrific player. https://t.co/HyrARGnLw0
— x Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) December 30, 2021
I think you are incorrect, the required work visas cannot be issued on possible transfers, they are granted after club submits details to home association.