The versatile 23-year old Japanese defender has been recommended to the Hoops by former fans favourite Shunsuke Nakamura who believes Nagatomo has the potential to achieve big things at Parkhead.
The versatile defender earned his first senior cap in 2008 in a friendly against the Ivory Coast and was part of Japan’s’ U-23 squad for the 2008 Olympics in Beiiing and played for Japan throughout their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
It’s believed a fee of around £2m would be enough secure the talents of the rising star.
Nakamura currently plying his trade in Spain with Espanyol proved a commercial draw as well as playing draw for Celtic when he signed from Italian side Reggina for £2.75m in 2005 after three seasons spent in Serie A before leaving the Parkhead club after his four year contract expired this summer.
In his first season with Celtic, he helped the club win the SPL and league Cup and won the Players Player of The Year and Scottish Football Writer’s player of the year award in 2007.
Meanwhile it’s been revealed that another Celtic target, Fc Seoul’s South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-yong is awaiting a work permit before a deal can be completed.
The rising star dubbed ‘the South Korean Gerrard’ is expected to join Celtic in the January transfer window at the end of the K-league season.
