1 hour ago
15
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 already included stints in Dutch and English football.
With more than 15 caps for Japan’s national team, Sugawara brings international pedigree too.
Southampton’s position and the price tag
Southampton hold Sugawara under contract until June 2028, which gives them leverage on price, but they also need to trim a squad built for Premier League wages, not second-tier budgets.
The original €7 million fee Southampton paid AZ Alkmaar in 2024 sets a rough ceiling for negotiations. With Sugawara’s market value now estimated at around €5.5 million, any deal would likely land somewhere in that range, possibly lower if Southampton are motivated sellers trying to clear the books.
The competition from PSV adds an interesting wrinkle. The Dutch club knows Sugawara well from his time in the Eredivisie with AZ, and they can offer Champions League football and a league he’s already comfortable in.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
English (US) ·