Celtic have reportedly made an approach to sign South Korean midfielder, Kwon Hyeok-kyu, as manager Ange Postecoglou seeks to strengthen his squad ahead of the January transfer window.

What's the word?

That's according to journalist Barry Anderson, with the transfer insider writing on Twitter:

"Celtic have made an offer to sign Korean midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu (21) according to reports in East Asia. He is a South Korea U23 internationalist and one of the country's bright prospects due to his high-tempo play, technique and physique."

The respected source was relaying information from Korean outlet Sports Chuson, with the Old Firm outfit seemingly keen on prising the 21-year-old from his current club, Busan IPark, next month.

It would appear that the Parkhead giants are keeping a close eye on the K-League market at present, having also been linked with a move for Jeonbuk striker Cho Gue-sung in recent weeks.

Bye-bye Ideguchi

The addition of Kwon would seemingly add some real steel to the Glasgow side's midfield, with the emerging starlet offering a real commanding presence in the centre of the park as a result of his towering 6 foot 3 frame.

The evidence would suggest that the South Korea U23 international - who was recently loaned out to Gimcheon Sangmu in order to carry out his military service - puts his imposing physique to good use, having won 77% of his aerial duels in the most recent campaign, while also averaging 1.6 interceptions and 1.0 tackles per game.

Should Postecoglou bring the youngster - who has 60 club career appearances to his name thus far, scoring once - to Celtic Park any time soon it could well help to hasten the departure of forgotten man Yosuke Ideguchi, with the Japanese international having been linked with an exit in recent times.

The suggestion is that the one-time Leeds United man is in line to make a return to his homeland in the New Year, having only joined the Bhoys as part of a triple J-League swoop alongside Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate back in January.

While the latter duo have established themselves as regular fixtures at Paradise since then, Ideguchi has only featured six times in all competitions in 2022 thus far, having been hampered by injury during his time in Scotland.

The defensive-minded midfielder has endured a particularly gruelling start to the current campaign after failing to make a single appearance, having only been named in the matchday squad on three occasions this term.

Pundit Alex McLeish had suggested over the summer that the 26-year-old was in need of a "minor miracle" in order to save his Celtic career, although the situation appears to have only gotten worse since then, with it hard to see a way back for the £6k-per-week dud under Postecoglou.

Should the title-winning coach snap up another holding midfielder in Kwon next month, it should well allow the Scottish champions the opportunity to say bye-bye to the anonymous, Ideguchi.