Celtic manager Neil Lennon says he is keeping tabs on Japanese duo Maya Yoshida and Yuki Otsu.
Yoshida, a central defender currently with VVV Venlo, and Otsu, a forward plying his trade in Germany with Borussia Moenchengladbach, were both linked with a move to the SPL champions on Friday morning.
Lennon though says he doesn’t expect to make any movement in the transfer market until next week, with Celtic playing their Champions League play-off round second leg tie with Helsingborg on Wednesday.
"He (Otsu) is a player we like but we will probably not do anything this window and we will keep tabs on him for now," said the Celtic boss.
"We have been working away in the background for quite a while for three or four players but whether we get over the line with those players I don't know but I can't see us bringing anyone in before next Wednesday.
"I am aware of Yoshida, I watched him play for Japan against Spain and I liked the look of him but with regards us being interested or making an offer it is pure speculation at the minute."
STV understands no offer has been made by Celtic for Yoshida at this stage, with a host of European clubs, including Southampton, due to take in his side's fixture with ADO Den Haag this weekend.
Signed from Nagoya Grampus in January 2010, he has made 61 appearances for VVV Venlo and scored five goals last season.
An acrobatic volley from a corner against PSV Eindhoven in September last year won the league’s goal of the season.
He was a goal scorer for his country at the 2012 Olympics, netting the second in Japan’s 3-0 win over Egypt at Old Trafford.
Capped 17 times at full international level, Yoshida made his debut against Yemen in January 2010 and has scored twice, netting against Jordan and North Korea in 2011.
Otsu meanwhile was the Japanese Olympic side’s goal scorer as they defeated Spain 1-0 at Hampden Park.
Having struggled to make an impact in the Bundesliga, STV understands Otsu is available to go out on loan, with his club open to offers before the close of the summer transfer window.
See Maya Yoshida score the Eredivisie’s goal of the season in 2011/12
