Nakamura set for medical after agreeing Espanyol deal

Published on Tuesday 23 June 2009 22:10

ESPANYOL have confirmed they have reached an agreement to sign former Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura on a two-year deal.

According to Espanyol, Nakamura is pencilled in to arrive in Barcelona on 10 July, when he will take his medical. If all goes well, he will be officially presented just a few days before the team return for pre-season training.

Nakamura had initially looked set to return to his former club Yokohama F. Marinos after his contract with Celtic expired. However, Marinos officials were informed yesterday by Nakamura's agent that the player had decided against returning to the J.League outfit and to move to Espanyol instead. Nakamura is the second new signing Espanyol have secured in as many days, having yesterday snapped up teenage striker Ben Sahar from Chelsea on a four-year deal.

Meanwhile, Celtic look set to be priced out of the race to sign Marc-Antoine Fortune after Nancy accepted bids from three English clubs. New Celtic manager Tony Mowbray had targeted the striker after he impressed during a loan spell under the Englishman at West Brom last season. But Celtic will need to produce an offer of around 3.5million to stop him moving to the Barclays Premier League.

Hull manager Phil Brown has confirmed having negotiations with Nancy while Portsmouth, Wolves and Fulham have also been linked with the player.