Celtic shows concrete interest in Japan right-back Yukinari Sugawara

Celtic have set their sights on Japanese international Yukinari Sugawara, the 26-year-old right-back currently under contract at Southampton but coming off a season-long loan at Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. The Scottish champions aren’t alone in the race, with PSV Eindhoven also reportedly circling. The interest, first reported by German outlet Absolut Fussball, positions Celtic in a transfer tug-of-war for a defender who has quietly built a solid resume across three of Europe’s major leagues. For a player valued at roughly €5.5 million, Sugawara represents the kind of deal Celtic’s recruitment team has made a habit of identifying. A well-traveled defender at a crossroads Born on June 28, 2000, Sugawara cut his teeth in the Eredivisie with AZ Alkmaar before Southampton came calling in July 2024, signing him on a four-year contract for €7 million. Southampton’s struggles in England’s top flight eventually resulted in relegation, and the club will compete in the Championship for the 2026-27 season. Sugawara was shipped out on loan to Werder Bremen for the 2025-26 campaign, where he featured in 31 matches across the season. The Bundesliga experience added another line to a CV that...