Two clubs keen on signing out of favour Celtic midfielder

Yosuke Ideguchi looks to be on his way out of Celtic on a permanent basis with two J-League clubs reported to be interested in the midfielder.

Ange Postecoglou brought Ideguchi to Scotland in January 2022 but while Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda made an instant impact their Japanese team-mate was on the wrong end of a brutal challenge on his debut at Alloa and never really recovered.

As Celtic powered towards the SPFL title Ideguchi made a handful of substitute appearances and drifted out of the picture, spending 2024 on loan at Avispa Fukuoka in the J-League.

Midfield is an area of the park that Celtic are overflowing with options with Football Scotland reporting:

Ideguchi returned to his homeland in February after an unsuccessful 12 months in Glasgow, and despite suffering an ankle break after just a month, the Japan international bounced back to help Avispa Fukuoka achieve their highest-ever finish in the J League and was the driving force behind their YBC Levain Cup victory.

His impressive form also saw him nominated for the prestigious 2023 J League Award and now the ex-Gamba Osaka has become hot property in Japan. Avispa Fukuoka are understood to be locked in talks with Hoops chiefs over a permanent transfer but face competition from J1 League rivals Vissel Kobe who are also keen on the player.

Celts are keen to offload Ideguchi, who made just one start under former boss Ange Postecoglou, and should recoup the £800k fee they paid in January 2022.

Celtic famously signed Kyogo Furuhashi from Vissel Kobe, a year ago Yuki Kobayashi made the same journey as a free agent after his Vissel contract expired.

Kobayashi is also expected to leave Celtic in January but after no competitive football this season an initial loan move seems most likely.