Who had Kyogo linked with a move from Celtic to Manchester City on their transfer window bingo card?

Indeed, that was the story that came out on Wednesday morning, as both Sam Lee of The Athletic and the now-infamous Fabrizio Romano reported on the Premier League champions’ interest in Celtic's talismanic striker.

Rumoured the day before from the former on a podcast appearance, this bombshell development shook the Celtic social media circles almost immediately to their cores, a sector of the internet already coming to terms with the imminent departure of star man Matt O’Riley to Brighton.

Posting to his 21 million followers on X, Romano said: “Manchester City are considering a move for Kyogo Furuhashi from Celtic, one of the options for winger position. Initial talks took place this week as Hugh Murray and Sam Lee reported. City want to get Ilkay Gündogan deal done as a priority… and then decide on a winger.”

Interestingly, Romano referred to Kyogo as a ‘winger’, a position the player has not played since 2021, back when Odsonne Edouard was leading the line for Celtic in the early days under Ange Postecoglou. Perhaps a typo or a mistake, though these reports still have the same negative effect - regardless of what Kyogo is called. It is common knowledge that Pep Guardiola’s side are on the hunt for a striker after the departure of Argentina’s Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid for the small sum of £82 million.

When you delve a bit deeper into the factors surrounding this potential move, then you begin to see why this report may have some substance to it. Firstly, Juan Manuel ‘Juanma’ Lillo is Guardiola’s assistant at Man City, who also managed Kyogo from 2018-2019 at Vissel Kobe – the side Celtic signed the striker from three years ago. Secondly, the striker has recently made an agency change, joining CAA Base – of whom Postecoglou is also a client – from MORE THAN SPORT GMBH. A player changing his representation midway through the window does signal alarm bells, which have multiplied in number and volume thanks to this latest development on Wednesday.

As mentioned previously, those of a Celtic persuasion are coming round to the expected reality that O’Riley has played his last game for the club, as his move to Brighton is essentially now a ‘when’ rather than an ‘if’ for Brendan Rodgers’ side. The manager has spoken about the need for two midfielders if this is to transpire, which indicates that Celtic will be busy in the transfer window right up to the close of play on August 30.

Despite the expectation that the club will bring in players – ‘quality’ additions at that – the thought of losing their star striker is unthinkable for the vast majority of those invested in Celtic. Kyogo’s record has been stellar since making the move to Europe from Japan back in 2021. Indeed, 73 goals and 16 assists in 135 total appearances under Postecoglou and Rodgers’ management highlight a player who has benefitted from a change in scenery from Japan to Scotland. Big goals in Glasgow Derbies, cup finals and in European competition have been in consistent supply, even if last season’s lower total of 19 left supporters wanting more from the striker under Rodgers’ guidance.

In recent weeks, the club have managed to bring back Adam Idah, following a successful loan spell at the club in the second half of last season. While this is an encouraging move concerning squad depth and quality up front, he will need to be supported by someone of Kyogo’s ilk if he is to be successful at Celtic. Despite the £8.5 million price tag slapped onto Idah by Norwich City in last week’s transfer, he is not the finished product and has plenty of development still to achieve before he realises his full potential. The talent is there, but Idah needs to put it all together like his strike partner in Kyogo.

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Alas, there are 89 different reasons why Kyogo cannot be allowed to leave the club this summer – his combined goals and assists total. Going even deeper, both he and O’Riley combined for a total of 61 goals in all competitions last season, with the two forming a special bond on the park concerning their link-up play and positioning in the forward areas. 

To lose one of Celtic’s main goal contributors would be a big blow for the Scottish champions. Losing both would be unthinkable, especially with so little time to replace either with the time that remains in this transfer window. If that were to be the case, then you would assume – or hope - that those in the club’s hierarchy would loosen up the purse strings and endeavour to back their manager with ‘quality’ replacements. After all, that has been the one consistent message this summer concerning incomings from Rodgers.

At this point, the likelihood of Kyogo going to England and Man City seems unlikely, even though the rumours and reports have been rife over the past day or so. Currently out with a shoulder injury – one that has bugged him for years –, it would take silly money for the club to let go of their main striker so late on in the window. The question is: what is ‘silly money’ for an older forward with a recurring injury that threatens to strike at any given moment when aggravated? £15 million? £20 million? As important as Kyogo is to this squad, you cannot see Celtic rejecting the latter figure if this move materialises. 

Regardless of what happens in the forward positions from now until the end of the transfer window, you can almost guarantee a busy nine or so days in the recruitment department for the club, Rodgers and his players – both incoming and outgoing. 

All systems go for a manic last week or so in the transfer window for Celtic Football Club…