Celtic will this week sign Maya Yoshida from Dutch club VVV Venlo, the Japanese defender having missed out on a move to Aston Villa and attracted interest from Southampton this summer.

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins aims to bolster his defensive options with the £2m signing of 23-year-old Japan captain Maya Yoshida.

Stoke are giving a trial to Dutch Eredivisie side VVV-Venlo striker Michael Uchebo, who is known as the Nigerian Peter Crouch. At 6ft 8in, Uchebo is even taller than the England international.

Arsenal are battling with Everton and 14 other European clubs for the services of VVV Venlo winger Ahmed Musa, 19, after the club confirmed he is set to leave the Eredivise outfit during the January transfer window.

Stoke are to hold talks with 21 year-old VVV Venlo striker Michael Uchebo over a potential move to the Britannia Stadium.