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樓主 |
發表於 2005-7-15 13:06:03
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Peter Lawwell has warned Celtic fans that signing Japan midfielder Shunsuke
Nakamura could require protracted negotiations with Italian club Reggina.
But the Celtic chief executive is confident that Nakamura will sign.
"It could take a week to finalise, but I'm very hopeful that he will be a
Celtic player," Lawwell told BBC Sport.
The Italian club had already indicated that Celtic are in pole position to
sign the 27-year-old, having offered £2.75m for his services.
Interest shown recently by Deportivo La Coruna and Atletic Madrid has
cooled, leaving Lawwell to enter negotiations with Reggina president Lillo
Foti.
Nakamura is a popular figure in his homeland and keen to retain control over
lucrative image rights there.
That has made negotiations even more tricky and Lawwell revealed he would be
prepared to fly to Japan if need be.
"It could come to that, but hopefully it will not have to as the player has
European representatives," said Lawwell. "It is certainly a complicated
deal.
"We have registered our interest and he is considering what we have offer.
"We really need to understand what he wants and for him to understand what
we want and that will progress over the coming week.
"It won't be an imminent decision either way. It will take a bit of time.
There is no deadline and I think there is goodwill on all sides.
"The player is positive about the move." Reggina spokesman Daniele Rindone
told BBC Sport: "Celtic are in first place to sign him at the moment.
"Nakamura will return to Italy from Japan on Wednesday and we will see what
happens then.
"We have a good working relationship with them (Celtic) and they would be
our choice and they also appear to be the first choice of Shunsuke
Nakamura."
According to some reports, however, the player favours a move to Spain.
"It would be fun to play in Spain as well after playing in Italy," he was
quoted as saying in the Scottish Daily Express.
"I feel it's about time to make a switch after playing for the same club for
three seasons.
"I must be careful to choose the team, because it is important for me
whether I can play in the games or not."
Meanwhile, Celtic boss Gordon Strachan remains interested in Saints pair
Claus Lundekvam and Paul Telfer, but the Glasgow club are no nearer to
concluding deals for the pair. |
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