Only a handful of months have elapsed since Kyogo Furuhashi made the surprising decision to leave Celtic mid-season, swapping the Scottish Premiership for Ligue 1’s Rennes in a transfer reportedly valued at approximately £10 million.
For three-and-a-half seasons, Kyogo had been the heartbeat of Celtic’s attack, a prolific and dependable first-choice striker whose goals and tireless work rate endeared him to fans and cemented his status as a key figure at the club.
His departure, therefore, struck a heavy blow to the Hoops, leaving a void that could have derailed their campaign.
Yet, the team has weathered the storm admirably, thanks in large part to the sensational form of Daizen Maeda, whose dynamic performances this season have kept Celtic’s attacking momentum alive and thriving.
Across the Channel, however, Kyogo’s journey at Rennes has taken a starkly different turn—one that could only be described as a frustrating ordeal.
Since arriving, he has found himself sidelined far more often than not, relegated to the role of a late-game substitute or, worse, left warming the bench without a single minute of action in several matches.
Compounding his woes, the managerial upheaval at Rennes has done him no favors. Jorge Sampaoli, the coach who oversaw Kyogo’s signing, was sacked mere days after the striker’s arrival, leaving him stranded under a new regime.
Under current boss Habib Beye, Kyogo has evidently slipped down the pecking order, no longer a central piece in the team’s plans—a harsh reality for a player of his caliber.
The move to Rennes, it’s believed, was fueled by Kyogo’s burning ambition to secure a place in Japan’s squad for the upcoming World Cup, a dream that hinges on regular first-team football.
But with his current lack of minutes, that aspiration hangs in the balance, raising questions about whether a return to Celtic might be on the horizon.
Celtic poised for Kyogo’s potential return, but with a caveat:
Whispers of Kyogo rejoining Celtic have been growing louder in recent weeks, stirring excitement among supporters who still hold him in high regard. However, any reunion seems contingent on a single, specific condition.
As reported by Football Insider, Brendan Rodgers and Celtic’s recruitment team would only pursue Kyogo if an offer emerges that’s simply too lucrative to ignore.
The club and manager have effectively “moved on” from the Japanese forward, having cashed in on a substantial transfer fee and bolstered their ranks with the signing of Jota as part of the overhaul.
Even so, Celtic’s need for a striker remains pressing as the summer transfer window approaches.
The squad could face further uncertainty if Daizen Maeda, currently in scintillating form, attracts interest from elsewhere, leaving Rodgers with an even bigger gap to fill in the forward line.
Should that scenario unfold, Kyogo could emerge as the ideal solution—a proven talisman who already knows the club’s system inside out and has a glittering track record in Scottish football.
His familiarity and past success might just make a compelling case for an unexpected homecoming.