Kyogo Furuhashi transfer news: Will Celtic miss Japan international forward and could Jota replace him?

When Kyogo Furuhashi joined Celtic in 2021, few would have recognised the identify.

His supervisor on the time, Ange Postecoglou, mentioned the Japan worldwide would “add one thing particular” to the squad. He wasn’t unsuitable.

Just below 4 years later, Kyogo departs as a fan favorite. He’s the highest scorer within the Scottish Premiership since shifting to the league. Plus, he has received eight main honours over three-and-a-half seasons.

The 30-year-old did signal a brand new four-year contract on the membership in 2023, with boss Brendan Rodgers describing him as an “thrilling” and “vital” participant. That new deal was signed a day after Jota left the membership for Saudi Arabia – however might he as a substitute return to the membership from Rennes and fill the void that Kyogo leaves behind?

Will Kyogo be missed?

The easy reply is sure. He scores targets, stretches defences to create room for his teammates to attain and is tidy on the ball.

He scored 85 targets in all competitions, plus added 19 assists – however there’s way more to these numbers.

A complete of 56 of these targets got here within the league, and it was a determine that no different participant might match within the Scottish Premiership over that interval. Surprisingly, the ahead – who’s simply 5ft 5in tall – scored 12 headers, additionally a league-high throughout his time in Glasgow.

He topped the league’s charts for pictures on the right track and quick breaks too. Plus, greater than 17 per cent of Celtic’s targets for the reason that summer season of 2021 got here through the ahead. For context, Matt O’Riley and Daizen Maeda had been second on that listing for the Hoops – 10 per cent additional behind.

How do Celtic change him?

The easy reply might be a reputation the Celtic followers are acquainted with. Jota.

He left Celtic for a £25m move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad in 2023, however issues by no means actually labored out for the 25-year-old. Off-field points resulted within the Portuguese participant leaving after a 12 months to affix Rennes.

Nevertheless, that hasn’t gone to plan both with Jota making simply 9 league appearances in France and now the golf equipment are in a chat that might see the participant transfer in the wrong way to Kyogo.

He scored 15 targets and supplied 12 assists throughout his final season at Celtic as they received a home treble. He loves the membership and the followers love him. Whereas he may not be a direct alternative up-front for Kyogo, Rodgers shouldn’t be in need of choices in that central space with Adam Idah again on the membership and Daizen Maeda in a position to fill that position too.

Plus, there’s little doubt supporters would like to see “Jota on the wing” at Celtic Park as soon as once more.

Celtic maintain Barry talks with Villa however membership reluctant to promote

Newest from Sky Sports activities Information’ Anthony Joseph and Lyall Thomas:

Celtic have held preliminary talks over a doable deal for winger Louie Barry – however Aston Villa stay reluctant to promote the participant and have provided him a brand new contract.

Villa choose to maintain Barry and mortgage him out for his improvement – and he has curiosity from many of the Championship and a number of other golf equipment overseas.

The 21-year-old was recalled from his mortgage at Stockport County earlier this month, for Unai Emery to take a more in-depth look and assess his readiness for first-team soccer.