Shin Yamada 'moves closer' to Celtic £1.5m transfer as double striker swoop eyed up to give Rodgers what he wants
Shin Yamada has reportedly moved closer to a £1.5m move to Celtic – and could be part of a double striker swoop.
The Kawasaki Frontale frontman has been touted as the most recent J-League star to emerge on the Parkhead radar after the successes of the likes of Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Kyogo in green and white.
The latter is yet to really be replaced with Maeda moving into a central position for much of last season, rotating with £9m striker Adam Idah.
But the hunt is on for a new undisputed No.9 this summer with new arrival Callum Osmand expected to take on the third choice role.
The Scottish Sun say a bargain £1.5m deal for Yamada has 'moved closer' and he could make the move to Parkhead having scored 32 goals in 121 appearances in Japan.
He's a different type of striker, more in the false nine mould than a target man like Idah or an outright predator like Maeda, and could bring a different dimension to the attack. He is also capable of playing in the No.10 role which could unlock a new system for Rodgers should he need it.
It's added that interest in Yamada is independent of a potential loan deal for Italian striker Giuseppe Ambrosino, who could arrive on loan from Napoli.
Adding both strikers may appear marginally unlikely at this stage unless there is unexpected movement on the outgoing front.
Speaking on Hotline Live earlier today, Keith Jackson played down the Ambrosino links, expecting Rodgers to instead move for a more established frontman – which 25-year-old Yamada may represent.
He said: "Ambrosino an Italian U21 international. You might look at that and think 'what's the difference between that and Callum Osmand?'
"Except there's a bit of excitement about this guy over in Italy, otherwise he wouldn't be leading the line for the U21s.
"Napoli of course Scudetto winners, so it's hard to break into that team.
"I think there has been possible discussions about some sort of loan deal, and Celtic might negotiate an option to buy if that's the road they want to go down.
"Interesting, and I'm sure he's a good player, but it doesn't quite fit in with what I'd expect from Celtic. They've got Callum Osmand from Fulham, a young boy with big potential, but I really expect that Brendan Rodgers is going to push the boat out for an experienced, proven option at No.9.
"Someone that fills the same sort of importance in the squad that Kyogo had, albeit he did take a dip before he left for Rennes. I'm fairly certain we'll see Celtic make a move for someone of that stature.
"The potential problem with that is that these things often go right towards the end of the window. So that might take a while."
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