GORDON STRACHAN is trying to increase Celtic�s Japanese quota by landing wonderkid Koki Mizuno.

GORDON STRACHAN is trying to increase Celtic's Japanese quota by landing wonderkid Koki Mizuno.

The JEF United midfield player, 22, who has taken the J-League by storm in recent seasons, is a free agent.

The Hoops need clearance from the Department of Employment before they can rubber stamp the deal.

Mizuno is renowned for his dead-ball delivery and free-kick expertise, but he is NOT a replacement for Shunsuke Nakamura. In fact, they share the same personal management.

Agent Sadato Nishizuka said: "Our talks with Celtic all hinge on a work permit. Celtic don't need to deal with JEF, as his contract is up."

Mizuno made his debut for Japan against Peru in March, but has not played the required number of internationals to obtain an automatic work permit.

Celtic are hopeful Koki will be allowed to join because of his youth and ability. Strachan is also linked with another Japanese, 26-year-old Le Mans midfielder Daisuke Matsui, but Mizuno is their target.

Meanwhile, Celtic today categorically denied Artur Boruc has a get-out clause in the three-and-a-half-year contract he has signed, and which is worth an estimated £5.5m.

The club were responding to an interview in a Polish newspaper, in which the keeper is quoted as saying he could move if the Scottish champions receive a good offer.

Asked if his new deal had a clause, Boruc told Gazeta Wyborcza: "I cannot say. But if Celtic obtain a good price for me, they will allow me to leave.

"The amount that is necessary for a club to pay remains the same. I am rated at close to £10m, but that is not a question for me, it is for Celtic.

"I know if an offer comes in that is good for Celtic and good for me, the club will not make any problems for me. So, anyway, I have signed the new contract in order that the champions of Scotland will profit from me."

The keeper's comments will fuel speculation that the Hoops could cash in on their prized asset some time before his deal expires in 2011.

Stilian Petrov signed a contract with Celtic in January of 2006 which pledged his future to Parkhead until 2010.

However, he handed in a transfer request six months later and eventually had a £6.5m move to Aston Villa.

Evander Sno's agent Chiel Dekker has claimed Spanish club Osasuna have expressed interest in the Dutch midfielder.

Hearts youth supremo John Murray has turned down a move to Celtic. Murray said: "I have been at Hearts for 14 years and have decided to stay."

• Tickets for the Barcelona game on February 20 go on sale tomorrow, to season ticket holders only, until January 18.