Things never sit still at a club like Celtic. The Hoops have recently said goodbye to quite a few players. On the other hand, work is underway to find replacements for them. And Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that one of their rumoured transfer targets is closing in on a move to Parkhead, with a medical set to take place.
Celtic have not made any big-money signings so far this summer. Their latest addition is going to be a £1.5 million signing from J-League side, Kawasaki Frontale, the same team they brought in Reo Hatate from. Fans will be hoping that this proves to be just as big of a success.
The player we are talking about is Shin Yamada. The Japanese international has already said goodbye to his club's fans and is headed for Celtic.
Rodgers has all but confirmed the impending move. As reported by The Scottish Sun, the Celtic manager said regarding the Yamada situation:
"He’ll have a medical over the next couple of days and we’ll have a look at him.
“We’ve lost a lot of goals so we need to replace that. Hopefully this can be one of a number of players we can bring in that aspect.
“He’s got intensity and workrate. It’s something the scouts have seen.
“In terms of the club, we will bring in players to develop and players for now. Even though he’s a bit older, he’s probably one of those that can give us that intensity and pressure.
“I need to look and see him when he comes in and hopefully he can do well. The idea was to bring him in and assess him.
“He’s a strong boy – but we’d want to add to our front line also."
'He’ll have a medical' - Brendan Rodgers confirms next Celtic signing
Yamada is a signing that is going to divide the opinion of the fans. Of course, there is no doubt that he has not been in good form lately, scoring only twice in the league so far this season.
Should Celtic be making moves for strikers who are out of form? Because that is exactly what they are doing with Yamada here.
On the other hand though, one cannot question his potential. Yamada did manage to score 19 goals in the J-League last season. He knows his way to the back of the net and on top of his game, he is a great player. Now, it will be up to Rodgers to help him rediscover that form in a Celtic shirt. If there is one manager who can do that, it is the Northern Irishman.