in-form Daizen Maeda is facing a fight to the finish as he bids to become the top scorer in the J-League this season.
The Yokohama Marinos striker is understood to be a target for Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou and his exploits this season have led to 18 league goals.
But Kawasaki Frontale talisman Leandro Damiao is breathing down in his neck with 17, as he looks to secure personal glory as his team near a second consecutive title.
Frontale are one win from the title with four games to go after their 1-1 draw with Urawa Reds on Wednesday stretched their lead to 13 points.
Marinos lost for the second straight game as Maeda was kept in check in the 1-0 defeat against Gamba Osaka.
Frontale have four chances to land title glory but the strikers face an intriguing race to the finish before the campaign ends on December 4.
And the fight for goal scoring glory underlines the impact Kyogo Furuhashi had with Vissel Kobe before his switch to Celtic in August.
The Parkhead forward remains the third top scorer in the J-League – with his incredible haul of 15 goals in 21 games.
Maeda admitted last week he is fully aware of the interest in his services but his focus remains on his current team.
He said: “I know about the reports, but my job is just to concentrate on playing and hopefully scoring goals for Yokohama.
"I am trying not to think too much about the speculation.
“I always think I can score goals in any match and that’s all I am thinking about at the moment. I am trying to get into the Japan team for the World Cup qualifiers too. Of course, if I keep scoring goals then good things will happen."
Postecoglou admitted he is keeping a close eye on the Japanese market after three years managing Marinos and is likely to bring another player from that league to the Premiership in January.
