Kyogo Furuhashi, a pivotal figure for Celtic since his 2021 arrival, is on the verge of a significant transfer to Rennes. The Japanese striker has been instrumental for the Scottish club, netting an impressive 85 goals across all competitions since his arrival. However, despite Celtic's recent progression to the Champions League knockouts, Kyogo remains keen on joining a top-five league club. With negotiations reaching advanced stages, Rennes plans to secure the striker for £10 million, with Kyogo already in France to finalize the move.
Jota, previously sold by Celtic to Al Ittihad in 2023 for a record £25 million, edges closer to a return from Rennes. This potential transfer comes amid Celtic's efforts to strengthen their squad, though they continue to face challenges in sealing deals for new talent. Meanwhile, Rennes manager Jorge Sampaoli expresses optimism about concluding Kyogo's deal by Thursday, opening opportunities for Kyogo to gain crucial playing time at Monaco.
"We hope that the deal will be completed today for Kyogo – and if it is the case – he could have minutes at Monaco." – Jorge Sampaoli
Kyogo's remarkable performances have not gone unnoticed. Kris Boyd, a notable figure in Scottish football, praised Kyogo's impact on the team this season.
"He has been the difference in a lot of games this season and he scores big goals." – Kris Boyd
Despite his significant contributions, Kyogo has found himself overlooked at Rennes since joining last summer. This situation has not deterred his determination to compete in one of Europe's elite leagues. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has acknowledged Kyogo's wishes and emphasized the club's stance on player transfers.
"I think the biggest thing is if a player doesn't want to be here, then go, and then it's at that point, then the club has to get the best possible deal." – Brendan Rodgers
While Kyogo's future becomes clearer, Celtic explores options to bolster their squad. The club has initiated talks over a potential deal for Louie Barry, a promising winger currently with Aston Villa. Barry has attracted interest from numerous Championship sides and clubs abroad. Although he was recently recalled from a loan spell at Stockport County for first-team assessment by Unai Emery, Celtic remains hopeful of securing his signature. However, Aston Villa appears reluctant to let go of the young talent.
Barry's situation remains fluid as he considers Celtic's offer amidst interest from other clubs. The winger, preferring a permanent move rather than another contract extension, waits to see how negotiations unfold. In light of these developments, Brendan Rodgers maintains a pragmatic approach towards player desires and transfer dealings.
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