Celtic defensive midfielder Tomoki Iwata could be joining English League One club Birmingham City ahead of the summer transfer deadline later tonight, according to the Scottish Sun.
The Japan international wants regular football and will need to leave the Parkhead club for that to happen as manager Brendan Rodgers does not have him in his plans.
A move to Birmingham will see Iwata link up with former Rangers defender Ben Davies, while the Celtic man could also be playing with Light Blues winger Scott Wright, with the 27-year-old closing in on a permanent exit from the Ibrox club.
Celtic are looking to complete a deal for Arne Engels, while Luke McCowan could also be snapped up before 11pm, which would see Iwata drop further down the pecking order.
However, whether Celtic would be open to a loan bid from Birmingham or prefer to sell the utility man permanently remains to be seen.
The 27-year-old has failed to make the last two matchday squads and Birmingham are not the only ones keen on him, with clubs in Europe monitoring his situation.
Iwata joined Celtic from Yokohama F.Marinos in January 2023 but has struggled to establish himself as a regular despite making 42 appearances so far.
Joe Hart, Matt O’Riley, Benji Siegrist, Oh Hyeon-gyu, Bosun Lawal, Sead Haksabanovic, Rocco Vata, Daniel Kelly and Yuki Kobayashi have left the Hoops this summer, with Mikey Johnston on his way to West Bromwich Albion.
Kwon Hyeok-kyu, Marco Tilio and Gustaf Lagerbielke have also been shipped out on loan, and Iwata could become the 14th player to leave Celtic this summer, with Maik Nawrocki likely to follow him out.
