Japanese club Cerezo Osaka are believed to be showing considerable interest in Melbourne Victory's Mitch Nichols.
Incoming Cerezo boss Ranko Popovic, formerly of FC Tokyo, has revealed that he is indeed keen on the 24-year old attacking midfielder and could make a move for him in the New Year.
"I make no secret that we are trying to attract Mitch to the club and he's a player I admire very highly," Popovic told SBS.
"I first saw him during my time in the Asian Champions League in 2012 when FC Tokyo played against the Brisbane Roar and his qualities were immediately obvious.
"For me the attraction of a player such as Mitch is his versatility - he can play as a number 6 or a number 10 and this flexibility is very important."
