Nakamura future uncertain

Celtic could be set to face a battle to keep hold of Shunsuke Nakamura.

The Japanese schemer has long since established himself as a favourite amongst the Celtic faithful and, last season, capped a title-winning campaign by being named the Scottish Football Writers' Association Player of the Year.

While earlier this month Nakamura moved to dismiss talk of his alleged unrest, he is thought to be less than enamoured about his earnings compared to a number of his team-mates.

Several of the 'world's biggest clubs' are monitoring the situation closely and with Italian lawyer Angelo Massoni and his legal team studying his contract, in order to determine whether there is an escape clause that would permit his departure for as little as £1million, Celtic face an anxious wait to learn of Nakamura's bargaining hand.

"I have spoken with [Nakamura's agent] Roberto Takudo about this and we want to meet with Celtic next week," Massoni told the Scottish Daily Mail.

"We have four of the biggest clubs in world football interested in Nakamura and willing to pay big money. We will recommend these offers to Celtic.

"Obviously, if Celtic want to make a better offer, that is up to the club.

"We cannot name the clubs interested from the other countries until we have informed the club first."

Nakamura's existing contract is set to expire in 2009.