McManus: Celtic already planning to sell Yuki Kobayashi as ‘big’ claim made
Celtic are already planning to sell Yuki Kobayashi despite him only just signing for the club.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Hoops’ latest Japanese recruit.
On 23 November Celtic announced the signing of Vissel Kobe defender Kobayashi, 22.
As per the Hoops’ announcement, he will be able to join up with his new Celtic teammates from December 1 and will be eligible to play competitively once the registration window opens in January 2023.
Kobayashi is the fifth Japanese player to join the club following Ange Postecoglou’s appointment in the summer of 2021.
McManus insists Celtic will already be thinking about selling the defender.
“The board trust Ange, he has gone in and signed very good players,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“Kyogo, really good. Hatate, really good. Maeda, hit and miss. Ideguchi, we haven’t seen much of him. So Ange has got most of them right.
“He is only 22, Kobayashi, so he is a young player who Celtic will be looking to bring in and develop before selling on, that has to be the mantra.
“He’s a big centre-half so I think he will come in and play. There are plenty of players back there so there could be a bit of a reshuffle.
“When you see the success of Ange’s transfers, especially with the lads from Japan, then the fans should be excited and looking forward to seeing what this boy can do.”
Kobayashi started 28 of Vissel Kobe’s J-League games during the 2021-22 season.
He is yet to make an appearance for the senior Japan side.
In other news, McAvennie has issued ‘big’ Celtic claim as Daizen Maeda quotes emerge.