Manchester City is reportedly eyeing Celtic’s star striker Kyogo Furuhashi as a potential replacement for Julián Álvarez, who recently moved to Atlético Madrid in an £82 million deal. With Erling Haaland being their primary striker, City manager Pep Guardiola is keen to bolster his attacking options, and Kyogo has emerged as a top target.
Kyogo, who joined Celtic from Vissel Kobe in 2021, has been a standout performer at Parkhead, scoring 73 goals in 135 appearances and winning seven major honors. Despite his recent contract extension with Celtic until 2027, it’s believed that the Scottish champions would be open to negotiations if Manchester City were to offer a bid exceeding £20 million.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, who regards Kyogo as an “elite striker,” would face a significant challenge if the Japanese forward were to leave. Although Celtic recently signed Adam Idah from Norwich for £8.5 million to strengthen their forward options, losing Kyogo would likely necessitate further recruitment in the striker position.
Kyogo’s potential departure could also be influenced by an ongoing shoulder issue that might require surgery, which kept him out of a recent match against Hibernian. If a move to Manchester City materializes, it would mark a significant step in Kyogo’s career, offering him the opportunity to play at the highest level in the Premier League.
In addition to the Kyogo situation, Celtic is also preparing for the possible exit of midfielder Matt O’Riley, with Brighton reportedly finalizing a bid of over £25 million. LAFC’s Mateusz Bogusz has been identified as a potential replacement for O’Riley, with Celtic expected to pay around £7 million to secure his services.
Celtic’s transfer activity also includes defender Yuki Kobayashi, who is set to join Portuguese side Portimonense on a permanent deal, signaling a busy period for the club as they navigate potential changes to their squad.
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