Celtic plotting January transfer raid for Blackburn Rovers playmaker | OneFootball

Celtic are interested in Blackburn's Ryoya Morishita ahead of January, having failed with a move to sign the midfielder in the summer.

Celtic are expected to revisit a move for Blackburn’s Ryoya Morishita in January after failing to sign the midfielder in the summer.

It was a frantic window for the Glasgow giants, who appeared to delay a lot of their business until after their Champions League qualifier, which they lost over two legs against LASK.

That resulted in a hectic final few days, with Celtic sealing plenty of deals in that period as they looked to boost Martin O’Neill’s squad.

Celtic seeking January deal for Blackburn’s Ryoya Morishita

However, one target they seemingly missed out on was Blackburn’s Morishita, as reporter Alan Nixon stated he was on their radar.

He explains how the two clubs were in talks over a deal for Reo Hatate, who ultimately joined Rovers’ bitter rivals Burnley, but during those discussions Morishita’s name came up.

Yet, Blackburn were adamant that they could not sell the influential 29-year-old at that stage of the window, with Tony Mowbray having already been frustrated at the lack of incomings.

Nevertheless, the update states that Morishita remains someone that Celtic want to sign, and they are expected to go back in for the ex-Legia Warsaw man in the New Year.

Celtic move would surely appeal to Ryoya Morishita

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This is not the news that Blackburn fans would’ve wanted, even if the January window is a long way away, and Morishita’s focus will be on helping the team.

But, if the chance to move to Celtic does materialise in January, then it’s something that the player will surely want to pursue.

Obviously, they are a huge club, and, given his age, Morishita may see it as a great chance to play at a high level in Europe, and to compete for trophies on a regular basis, which is not going to happen at Ewood Park.

So, it may be difficult to stand in his way if a big offer arrives, although it’s worth pointing out that Morishita is under contract until 2028, whilst Rovers have a 12-month option as well, so they certainly have a strong position when it comes to negotiations.

Blackburn must do all they can to keep Ryoya Morishita

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Firstly, Blackburn deserve credit for retaining Morishita in January, even if they didn’t have the end to the window they needed in terms of incomings.

But, they should also be trying to keep Morishita beyond the mid-season window as well, as losing him in January would be a major setback, and it could derail whatever they’re trying to achieve.

It’s too early to say where they will be, but, such is the nature of the Championship, you’re never going to be too far away from the top eight or the relegation zone, so Rovers must see January as a chance to strengthen, rather than cash in on a key man.

We know that money talks, so if Celtic do make a ridiculous bid, then that could change the dynamic, but, if that doesn’t happen, then Rovers must try to keep Morishita until at least the summer of 2027.