Manchester City are looking to replace Julian Alvarez and Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi has been suggested as a possible replacement.
The summer transfer window slams shut on Friday and the only thing Celtic fans want to hear is who will be joining their club, not heading for the exit door.
Matt O’Riley has left Celtic and joined Brighton, his exit was expected as far back as last season, it was just a case of getting it done and which club he would join.
But Brendan Rodgers can’t afford to lose two key players in one window, especially given that they are yet to replace O’Riley.
Yes, Celtic have re-signed Adam Idah, but Kyogo is an underrated figure at Parkhead, a scorer of big goals and a key reason why Ange Postecoglou won the Treble before he left for Tottenham.
Sources have told HITC that Kyogo is attracting interest from Manchester City, with the forward yet to score in his opening three matches and he did come off the bench as Celtic comfortably beat St Mirren on Sunday.
Whilst some doubt if Kyogo is good enough for Manchester City, former Arsenal forward Paul Merson thinks it’s a move that could work.
Celtic fans don’t want to hear it, but Merson highlighted how teams in Scotland always play ten men behind the ball against the champions.
So, Kyogo is used to playing with so many bodies around him, in crowded spaces and with little space to move, yet he has thrived season in and season out.
Merson added that’s what would await him at Manchester City and he gave his thumbs up to the possible transfer, as he told Sky Sports News (24/08/24 at 12:25 pm).
Kyogo Furuhashi’s future
“The thing with him going to Manchester City which ticks the box, he plays for Celtic where other teams sit ten behind the ball, like Man City are up against every week,” said Merson
“So, he has got that and knows how to play against that. He has got good movement. I could see how that would work, definitely.”
Adam Idah signing
You wonder if Idah is now the main striker for Celtic under Rodgers and whether that increases the chances of Kyogo leaving.
The Japan star still scored big goals for the Bhoys last season, including his usual against Rangers, but he only netted 11 in the league.
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For a man of that calibre, it’s certainly a drop-off because it feels like Idah is suiting Rodgers’ system more than Kyogo.
And you wonder if Kyogo will continue to make a backseat role as the season wears on, unless Rodgers is planning to use them together.
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