CELTIC will resist any move in next month’s transfer market for Kyogo Furuhashi, despite reports a £10million bid could be on its way.
Former Hoops boss Ronny Delia is now in charge of Atlanta United and apparently the Japanese striker is high on the MLS club’s wanted list.
The American outfit have money to spend and Kyogo is a priority target as they strengthen for the new season, according to a claim in the Daily Mail.
Atlanta chief executive Gareth Lagerwey has told supporters the team are willing to spend to overhaul the player pool starting with a massive signing and said: “We promised that we were going to remake the club.
JOY BHOY…Kyogo Furuhashi shows his delight as he holds sloft the Premier Sports League Cup after the triumph over Rangers at Hampden this month.
“This is the first big one and there’ll be more to come to make this better in 2025.”
However, the USA club, who signed Giorgos Giakoumakis from the champions in February 2023, will receive no encouragement from the Hoops hierarchy for the 29-year-old international forward who is a key man in Brendan Rodgers’ plans.
The difference in situations between the Greek hitman, who has since moved to Mexico’s Cruz Azul, and Kyogo is obvious.
Giakoumakis demanded more first-team game-time and Ange Postecoglou was not prepared to give that guarantee.
Rather than keep an unhappy player, Celtic were satisfied to let him move on to allow the manager to concentrate with the squad he had at his disposal while bringing in South Korean powerhouse Oh Hyun-gyu as a direct replacement.
Kyogo is under contract until June 2027 and has consistently maintained he is enjoying his football at Parkhead after his July 2021 arrival from Vissel Kobe at a cost of £4.6million.
BIG SHOT…Kyogo Furuhashi fires in an effort which was saved by Ibrox keeper Jack Butland during Celtic’s latest silverware success.
He has been the regular first pick for Rodgers who boosted his striking department in the summer with the £9.5million reruitment of Adam Idah from Norwich City while the club offloaded Oh to Belgian side Genk.
The Parkhead gaffer is also preparing for two crucial Champions League qualifiers against Switzerland’s Young Boys at Parkhead and Aston Villa in the Midlands next month.
Celtic are on the brink of earning a place in the lucrative play-offs in Europe’s elite competition and it would be sheer folly to allow one of their main attacking threats to leave.
Plus there is a fourth consecutive Premiership title and a Scottish Cup to aim at in a bid for a historic ninth domestic treble.
Far from selling, Rodgers is looking to add to his firepower at the turn of the year to help Kyogo and Idah.
ALEX GORDON
