Kyogo to Celtic transfer latest as two obstacles emerge in January chase for Birmingham City striker
The Birmingham City forward is strongly linked with a return to Celtic.
Celtic will have to do some convincing if they want to sign a player from Birmingham City this January.
Kyogo Furuhashi left the Hoops in January 2025 and the club have spent the last year unable to effectively replace him up front. In the meantime, the Japanese international has had a torrid year, not settling in at Rennes and leaving the French side after six months for Birmingham City, where he’s not scored at Championship level.
With Celtic still in dire need for a striker, he has been targeted for a loan return to Celtic, as he aims for a return to scoring and boss Martin O’Neill looks for firepower. According to the Herald, however, the striker is on big money and also needs some convincing that returning to the Premiership from Birmingham City is the right move.
Kyogo to Celtic from Birmingham City transfer latest
It’s stated: “Celtic face an uphill battle to persuade Kyogo Furuhashi to return to Glasgow on loan. Interim boss Martin O’Neill would jump at the chance to take the Japanese striker back to Parkhead.
“Earning £40,000 a week in English football, agreement on a percentage of the striker’s salary is not the only potential obstacle standing in the way of an agreement before Saturday’s Premiership clash with Dundee United. Celtic have been warned that the fans’ favourite is reluctant to give up the ghost in Birmingham and will need some persuasion to return to Scottish football.”
Kyogo scored 85 goals in 165 appearances alongside eight major honours at Celtic and Kris Boyd reckons it’d be a shrewd move by the Hoops. The Rangers hero wrote in the Scottish Sun: “I see this deal as one that suits everyone involved down to the ground.
Kyogo to Celtic verdict
“It seems some fans have had a negative reaction to the story. Maybe that's just a symptom of the disconnect between the Hoops fan base and the board right now. Some of the criticism is legitimate too, let's be clear. We've been hearing for a long time about how Celtic are the best in class when it comes to every aspect of football. Really?
“When it's come to their recruitment they have got a nasty habit of turning the clock back rather than looking forward. Kieran Tierney? Jota? Now Kyogo. It's been the same with managers down the years. Neil Lennon was brought back to help sort things out having been there before. They did the same with Rodgers. Now O'Neill has been the man they have turned to when Wilfried Nancy was shown the door.
“It has been desperation and that sums up the club right now, though Dermot Desmond will point to their silverware haul since O'Neill first arrived in 2000. What happened to all the talk of Celtic becoming a force in Europe? Because if anything has been proven these past few weeks it's that there's nothing the club wants more than to be successful domestically. That's the be-all and end-all. Regardless of what anyone connected to the club will try and have to believe.