Kyogo Furuhashi is reportedly on the brink of a £10 million move away from Celtic, just hours after playing a key role in the club’s qualification for the Champions League play-off round.
Brendan Rodgers’ side celebrated a crucial 1-0 win over Young Boys on Wednesday night at Celtic Park. The breakthrough came late in the game when Loris Benito’s own goal in the 86th minute broke the deadlock.
Despite Daizen Maeda’s red card in the dying moments, Celtic managed to hold firm and secure a vital victory.
The result ensured Celtic advanced to the play-offs for the Champions League knockout stages with 12 points from seven games, leaving them four points clear of 25th-placed Manchester City with one match remaining.
However, the celebrations were tempered by reports that Kyogo may have played his final game for the club, having been substituted in the 75th minute.
According to reports in France, Celtic and Ligue 1 side Rennes have agreed on a £10 million deal for the 30-year-old striker.
French outlet Le Parisien claims Kyogo has been “under the microscope for several weeks,” and he is now expected to join Jorge Sampaoli’s team in the coming days.
When questioned about Kyogo’s potential exit earlier this week, Brendan Rodgers hinted he wouldn’t stand in the player’s way if he expressed a desire to leave.
“I think the biggest thing is if a player doesn’t want to be here, then go,” Rodgers said.
“And then it’s at that point, then the club has to get the best possible deal. So I don’t ever see the point of keeping someone who doesn’t want to be here.
“But I think for us, it’s all eventualities. That’s what we prepare for, whether it’s injuries, whether it’s transfers. You always have to be ready and that’s our message.
“But for him [Kyogo] at this moment in time, he’s happy, he’s working well, he’s scoring goals and enjoying his football.”
Kyogo’s impending departure could yield a significant profit for Celtic. The forward signed a new four-year contract last summer, giving the club leverage to negotiate a high transfer fee.
Having joined from Vissel Kobe in 2021 for £4.5 million during Ange Postecoglou’s tenure, the Japan international quickly became a fan favorite.
During his time in Glasgow, Kyogo has amassed an impressive list of achievements. He has helped Celtic to three successive Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish League Cup wins, and two Scottish Cup victories.
Individually, his statistics are just as remarkable, with 85 goals and 19 assists in 165 appearances for the club. His best season came in 2022-23 when he netted a career-high 34 goals. This season, he has already found the net 12 times.
While Celtic fans may be disappointed to see Kyogo go, his impact at the club will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most prolific in recent history.