Kyogo has been a key performer for Celtic since he arrived in 2021.
The Japanese striker has smashed in 85 goals and provided 19 assists in that time and he has been described as “scary” to play against by Kris Boyd.
So it was with a knot in their stomachs that fans would have learned about Atlanta’s £10million bid plan for Kyogo this January window.
Manager Brendan Rodgers made it clear he hoped to keep Kyogo as he saw no restlessness in the attacker amid interest in his services.
Rennes were also linked with the Celtic striker but it’s clear no official approach has, as yet, come across Michael Nicholson‘s desk for the frontman who will be 30 later this month.
Pat Bonner feels Celtic might ‘exploit’ big-money interest in Kyogo
Celts would have to seriously consider a hefty fee should it eventually come in for their player and Pat Bonner believes the club would look to “exploit” any star if big money arrived.
The former Hoops goalkeeper reckons Kyogo comes into that category.
Bonner did, however, acknowledge during his BBC Sportsound commentary duties during Celtic’s Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock that Rodgers would hate to lose big players with a Champions League knockout playoff spot a realistic possibility.
But with the window open, anything can happen – including a possible incoming attacker to replace Kyogo should it come to that.
Kyogo ‘is one of’ Celtic’s key stars they could sell for big money
“Listen, Johnny Kenny has come on the scene and you did mention he’s not on the bench today,” Bonner said.
“Maybe that’s the rule of only eight subs.
“But you definitely would love to see them get that third striker in because any big bid that comes in Celtic will be looking to see if they can exploit the players they have out there.
“And Kyogo is one of them.
“It’ll be interesting to see but with European competition coming up again in midweek, they need all their best players here.”
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