Yokohama F Marinos have confirmed they are interested in taking Celtic’s Shunsuke Nakamura back to Japan.

However the club’s general manager Katsunori Nakamura said that a move is not imminent, and talks are not planned for January.

The J-League side could make their approach before the end of the season, when Nakamura’s current contract at Parkhead expires.

The 29-year-old Celtic playmaker began his career with Yokohama before moving to Italian side Reggina in 2002.

The Marinos general manager, who is not related to the Hoops player, said: “If he comes back to Japan, we, the Marinos, would like to stand for the candidacy as his next destination, but nothing has been decided.

“I think there will be the moment that I will have to go to Scotland for talks about this, but not now and not in January.

“I’d like to visit Celtic when the time comes.”

Nakamura joined Celtic in 2005 and according to reports in Japan is interested in returning to his homeland to boost his chances of playing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He represented Japan at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, while also featuring in the victorious AFC Asian Cup campaigns in 2000 and 2004, but was unable to guide the Blues to a third consecutive continental crown in July after suffering a semi-final defeat by finalists Saudi Arabia.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has no intention of selling Nakamura, and will be looking to exercise the 12-month extension option in the midfielder’s contract.

Nakamura was the undisputed player of the season in Scotland for 2006/07, and although injuries have limited his contribution during the current campaign Celtic see him as a key man.

Asked whether he would want to keep the 29-year-old beyond the end of the season, Strachan sarcastically replied: “No, I want to get rid of the one of the best players in Britain! January and December, it’s propaganda time.”

He would also gladly talk to Nakamura about his future.

“I can speak to anybody any time they want,” Strachan told BBC Radio Scotland.

“The office is open to anybody who wants to come in. If they want to stay that’s fantastic, it’s a fantastic club.”