Celtic transfer notebook as Yuki Kobayashi targeted Stateside plus latest on Johnston, Tillio and Lagerbielke – Scott Burns

Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas are keen on a loan deal for Celtic’s Yuki Kobayashi.

The Major League Soccer pair both want the Japanese defender. It is believed the Scottish champions would be open to the moves. Kobayashi has found first-team football hard to come by since Brendan Rodgers returned to Celtic.

The 23-year-old hasn’t played under him and his last top team outing for Celtic was last season. Kobayashi moved to Celtic from Vissel Kobe in January last year. He came in under Ange Postecoglou but failed to make the same impact as he fellow countrymen Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate.

It has been a frustrating spell although the chance to get playing in America could get his career back up and running. Fellow Japanese midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi left Celtic earlier this month to join Vissel Kobe. Several of Brendan Rodgers’ fringe players could go out before the close of the transfer deadline.

There is interest in Mikey Johnston from two to three teams in the English Championship, including West Bromwich Albion. There is also Italian interest in Gustaf Lagerbielke from Verona, Genoa and Leece. Marco Tilio is also wanted by Melbourne City and Sydney. He is currently away with Australia in the Asian Games. Celtic could also let Benjy Siegrist go out on-loan. The big keeper saw a move to Sturm Graz earlier in the window.