What next for Yuki Kobayashi? Celtic transfer update on forgotten man

Celtic have turned down an approach from Kashima Antlers for Yuki Kobayashi.

The J-League side wanted to take the defender back to his homeland until the end of the season. The Hoops have said no and want to keep Kobayashi at the club. Ironically, Kobayashi has hardly featured for Celtic lately and appears to be well out of the first-team picture under Brendan Rodgers.

It remains to be seen if Antlers try to make another move before their domestic transfer window closes. The 23-year-old also had previous interest from Finnish side HJK and Major League Soccer sides Dallas and Real Salt Lake but Celtic also blocked those moves. He has struggled to make an impact at Celtic since Ange Postecoglou departed. Postecoglou signed him from Vissel Kobe in 2022.