Japanese media outlet Tokyo Sports has linked one of their u23 stars to the Hoops this season. Mikami Kaoru was being reported as a J League star that had caught the eye of Postecoglou and they claim that the big Aussie was keen to bring him to Glasgow.
However, the young Kawasaki left winger, is said to have signed a contract with English Premier League outfit Brighton although nothing official has been released.
But there is another twist. Because of his lack of caps for the full international squad, he can’t obtain a UK work permit.
The report has suggested that he is to be loaned to Belgian side Royal Union in order for him to obtain either Belgian citizenship or until he gains his first international cap.
So until the move is official, there doesn’t seem to be any point in Celtic trying to snatch the u23 star due to the nightmarish red tape issues the club could face.
Ange has already spoken of his desire to tap into the Asian market to help with his rebuild when in one of his first interviews he laid out his intentions to scour the Asian market, “Working on that side of the world, you had to be fairly open minded about where we took players from.
“There is some fantastic talent in Asia, there is some fantastic talent in South America. Most definitely, that is one of the areas that I want to focus on.”
“But I think what will make it a good bit easier for the people working in those areas is the fact that we will have an identity and a clear idea of what kind of football we are trying to play and that narrows it down.”
Which is great, but with the amount of administration needed to get those players in, not to mention COVID isolation required upon entry into the country, is it really worth it and should Postecoglou be looking closer to home?