Celtic chief - Naka staying

Nakamura going nowhere, says Lawwell as Celtic plan January spend


Published Date: 02 November 2008
By Andrew Smith



<!-- google_ad_section_start --><!-- Article Start -->CELTIC chief executive Peter Lawwell has given the clearest indication yet that Shunsuke Nakamura will not be allowed to leave in January.
The Japanese midfielder's immediate future at the club has been cast into doubt after the player admitted five weeks ago that there was "a possibility" he could leave during the next transfer window for family reasons and to cut down on travelling to international fixtures. This has been followed by reports claiming former club Yokohama Marinos were awaiting approval from main backers Nissan to lodge a bid for the player, believed to be around the £1m mark but in some quarters quoted as high as £5m.

But Lawwell has batted down suggestions that the club could be willing to bank a fee for the player at a critical point in the season, even if it means him moving on for no return.

"We are in the business of winning championships, not cashing in on players," Lawwell told Scotland on Sunday. "It is our intention to strengthen our squad in January as we focus on retaining the title. That means Shunsuke Nakamura still being with us."

Although Nakamura, 31 in June, has stated the time may have come to return to his homeland and that he wants to do so while still in good physical condition, he has always added the caveat that he will only leave "when Peter says he no longer needs me". Lawwell, and Celtic manager Gordon Strachan – who has described the player as "the best I have ever worked with" – have both now made plain that time will not arrive this season. A fee of £1m would not been tempting since in each of the past two January transfer windows precisely that sum has been laid out to sign midfielders Paul Hartley and Barry Robson.

With Nakamura providing a reminder of his game-changing free-kick prowess in midweek in the Co-operative Insurance Cup victory over Kilmarnock – his 13th dead-ball goal for Celtic – his worth to the club in the second half of the season appears to be rated higher than the price placed on him by suitors Yokohama Marinos.<!---
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Great news.

Nakamura staying, and strengthening the team in January.

 

If we're offered any more than £3million then I'd sell him but I think it would be good if he stays.
He's a valuable player for Celtic.

 

Good news

 

Good news, i think.

 

"We are in the business of winning championships, not cashing in on players," Lawwell told Scotland on Sunday.

Lovely wee dig there Peter !!! :icon_mrgreen:

 

Yeeeesssssss!!!!!!

4 in a row here we go!!!!!!!!!!!

 

we would be crazy not to take three million, if it is the principle of not seeling players because we are not a selling club, then I disagree. He has been good for us, but I believe that time has come. And if that is the case now, it better be the case when someone comes knocking with ten million for boruc and mcgeady.

If they are trying to driuve the price up, thats one thing, but naka wants to go, and I believe, his input to the team has diminished, let him go home. Give WGS the full transfer kitty we make off him and Ill be happy.

 

give him a new contract 2,so when he does move on we get as much as possible 4 him

 

We will see i still think if a big money offer comes in for him he will be on his way.

 

he has always added the caveat that he will only leave "when Peter says he no longer needs me"

..shouldn't that be ""when Gordon says he no longer needs me" ?

..just one more reminder that WGS isn't really making transfer decisions?

 

Good news. I would sell him though if its more than 5 million.

 

i think he will probably leave in january as he has to leave sooner or later and we will only get about £1M......if this does happen he will be a great miss to us but he isnt getting any younger!

 

Now, we can be more assured of 4iar.

 

He will get £7 million to spend thats what the give him every year!!! surely to * he,s got to get a left and a right back thats a priority!!!! I dont know if we need any midfielders just now. A think we need another striker because just look at the state were in just now, imo maloney is not a striker and it doesn,t suit him been up front, as i watched the kilmarnock game i thought he was anomonous and would be much beter used in midfield but when january comes what do yoos all think the chances are that he will sign 2 full backs???????? I think he will sign a left back, and just leave the right back because he has 3 in caddis,hinkel,wilson:icon_mrgreen:

 

Think he will still go in January, off course Lawwell is going to say that, all he is trying to do is get as much money as possible.

Remember naka does want to go home as his 1 of his kids are starting school.

 

Oh? That complicates things... Though, there are special schools for Japanese children abroad, don't know if there's such thing in Scotland.

 

Am sure there proberly would be mate, but he has always said he wants his kids growing up in Japan and always said he wants to finish his carear back home.

Just cant see Lawwell knocking back a bid of £2m plus for a player that would be leaving in the summer anyway. And dont think Celtic would stand in his way if he asked to go in january, after all he has done.

 

That'd leave us without a proper playmaker!!! Crosas is too young, and he needs a mentor.

 

If he stays he stays, but that quote is sure to get the maximum possible bid from Marinos if they really want him.