There’s a rumour doing the rounds among Manchester City supporters that their club is about to sign Kyogo Furuhashi from Celtic.
Take it with a pinch of salt certainly but there is a head of steam at the City end of things and there’s plenty of favourable comments being made about Kyogo, who as you will recall scored against Manchester City in the USA this summer, with Celtic winning 4-3.
For those of you mentioning injury, the player has had an issue with his shoulder for a long time and surgery is not crucial but is an option. Will be down to the player whether he wants it or not, according to Brendan Rodgers.
— Hugh Murray (@hughmurray1894) August 20, 2024
A Manchester City podcaster with just over 50k followers on X (@SheikhMCI) had this to report on Kyogo after looking into the Celtic striker amid the ongoing rumour that City are interested in signing the striker from Celtic.
“Interesting player to be linked with. Definitely don’t see him as a starter but he brings similar qualities to Alvarez while also providing superior ball retention and link up play.
“Nowhere near the pure ball striker Juli is but there aren’t many that can lace it like he can.”
He added:
“Doing some reading and watching of Kyogo Furuhashi.
“Immediate and major takeaways are HIGH ENERGY, MOVEMENT, and SPACING. He is constantly on the move – sets the tone well with his energy and “intelligent” aggression. A relentless but not reckless presser of the ball – smart about it.
“As a finisher, it’s his movement again that sticks out (in a good way). Has a knack for finding space in the box and is a solid, composed finisher from tight angles, even under pressure.
“I wouldn’t classify him as a elite dribbler but has above average close control and maintains possession well. Adept at dropping deeper and playing first time, one touch passes at full speed. He’s comfortable playing fast and has quick feet.
“Overall – smart, versatile player who pairs his intelligence with a relentless motor.
“A bit similar to Griezmann?”
Interesting player to be linked with.
Definitely don’t see him as a starter but he brings similar qualities to Alvarez while also providing superior ball retention and link up play.
Nowhere near the pure ball striker Juli is but there aren’t many that can lace it like he can. https://t.co/Y59UyuNhEN
— SHEIKH 👑 (@SheikhMCI) August 21, 2024
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi has already been mentioned as a backup for Erling. Could be another great under the radar signing – a proper 1 goal every 2 games No. 9
— Sky Blue Alex 🏴 (@alex_mcfc) August 20, 2024
Kyogo looks good 👍. Man City target
Alvarez replacement?
— Professor Hamza Treble champion (@mancityhardcore) August 20, 2024
Not sure I believe this, but Kyogo played under Juanma Lillo at Vissel Kobe. Also rumours of Iniesta going to Man city, he knows Kyogo well( former teammates ). https://t.co/vto7UL7c71
— The Resistance Review (@T_Rreview) August 20, 2024
While this seems to have gained traction among the City fan media folk, there’s little or nothing at the Celtic end of this story. With Adam Idah signing last week, Celtic now have two first pick strikers according to Brendan Rodgers. Losing Kyogo at this stage would be a significant setback, especially as it’s come out of the blue, so to speak.
In the case of Matt O’Riley, Celtic has been well aware that this summer was the most likely time for him to leave, having rejected offers back in January from the likes of Atlético Madrid. Yet Kyogo is 29 and if there is to be a re-sale value an opportunist offer like this one may well appeal to the Celtic Board.
Of course Brendan Rodgers would have to sanction the sale. You would imagine that Kyogo wouldn’t mind signing for the best team in England and one with a real chance of winning the Champions League.
It’s only a rumour but it’s worth keeping an eye on.
It’s a weird world where we are publicising a random podcaster’s rumour about one of our players being a target of his favourite club. While anything is possible, what are his sources apart from his own vivid imagination?
Would be amazed if Rodgers was even to consider selling kyogo at this late stage of the window?
Including O’riley, we are still operating at 17 core players within Rodgers squad at present?
Yet there remains question marks regarding the quality of that 17 in place, for CL football?
Looking like being reduced to 16 if O’riley is eventually sold?
With the standard of football being produced by our core group within the squad at present, it is still way too strong for anything within the SPFL to be able to stop ourselves imo?
Yet outside of the core group at present, the quality and squad depth issues still remains?
Admittedly Rodgers has some decisions to be making in that regards, yet the solutions to the questions are still missing?
Even if O’riley is sold, that still potentially leaves ourselves with maybe as many as 5 players, that could still be required within the overall look of our squad, to have a finalised 25man squad in operation for ourselves imo?
And 2 of them 5, looks like having to be Scottish to fulfill our homegrown quota also?
So to even consider selling a big player for ourselves at this stage, would be complete and utter madness, especially where we currently are in actually trying to finalise our 25man squad at present?