Kanji Okunuki is reportedly a Celtic transfer target ahead of the January transfer window, as Brendan Rodgers looks to beef up his squad.

The 24-year-old is currently with 2. Bundesliga club FC Nurnberg, where he has been since the summer after leaving Japanese side Omiya Ardija following a loan spell in Poland with Gornik Zabrze. He has scored four goals with two assists in 15 appearances across all competition this term and now he is claimed to be on the radar of the Premiership champions.

Sky Germany claim Celtic are "interested" in Okunuki and have scouted the Japanese star "intensively in recent weeks." No concrete offer has been made yet but it's one of the first names to be linked with the Hoops ahead of the January transfer window. There has been an influx of Japanese stars brought to Celtic since Ange Postecoglou arrived from the J League with expert knowledge on who's-who in terms of talent after managing at Yokohama F. Marinos. And that recruitment strategy could continue under current boss Rodgers

Kyogo, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda have all turned into regulars at Parkhead while Yuki Kobayashi and Yosuke Ideguchi have also made the move. Okunuki was called up to the senior Japanese national team for the first time last month.

It was claimed during the summer that Hearts were pursuing the attack-minded player before he opted for Germany. A deal worth £400k was reportedly needed but it's not known what price Celtic would have to pay now.

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