Manchester City have identified Celtic’s Kyogo to replace Julian Alvarez, who completed a move to Spanish side Atletico Madrid earlier this summer. [The Athletic]
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi reacts Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
The 29-year-old Japanese international is one of two forwards currently on City’s shortlist, the other being a younger prospect.
Manchester City’s immediate focus remains on finalizing the re-signing of Ilkay Gundogan, who is set to leave Barcelona this summer. Once this deal is secured, the club plans to shift their attention to a new striker.
Kyogo has emerged as an option for City, and he does have a few connections to the club.
He was signed by Ange Postecoglou for Celtic, who had managed Yokohama F Marinos, another club in the City Football Group network and he has worked under City’s assistant coach Juanma Lillo at Vissel Kobe
Earlier this summer, we reported that Kyogo had changed agents, which seemed odd given he had just signed a long-term deal at Celtic last summer.
If Man City do come chapping for Kyogo, you’d imagine he’d be away, if Celtic’s asking price is met. But, Sam Lee said on the Its LB podcast that Celtic might not even “play ball” saying that they had knocked back bids for the striker last week.
It’s a massive move for Kyogo, but it would be unthinkable of Celtic to allow him and Matt O’Riley to leave in the same window.
