With the arrival of the new Celtic boss, Brendan Rodgers comes the inevitable transfer rumours. This week we have had numerous players already linked to the club and Rodgers has quickly added Odin Thaigo Holm to his squad as he prepares for next season.
But as with every team that hires a new manager, outgoings are also inevitable. But this is one that Rodgers does not want.
According to The Mirror (print edition, Page 75), Kyogo Furuhashi has been linked to a move to English Premier League new boys, Burnley.
The Clarets boss, Vincent Kompany is reportedly looking at the Japanese striker if he cannot get his hands on Southampton’s, Nathan Tella.
The report also claims the Rodgers does not want to lose Kyogo but ‘knows’ that any bid in excess of £16m will ‘tempt’ Celtic to sell their star striker.
Celtic cannot afford to lose Kyogo
Whilst no player is irreplaceable, Celtic will know that they will have a tough job in replacing their Japanese talisman if he does decide to move on this summer.
Kyogo has been pivotal to Celtic’s successes this season and last. Not only did he finish up as the SPFL’s Top Goalscorer this season, but over the last two years he has scored critical goals in consecutive league cup finals against Hibs and Rangers that brought silverware into the Parkhead trophy room.
Yes, he didn’t make an impact in the Champions League, but his contribution to Celtic winning the treble this year and the double last, cannot be underestimated.
There is no suggestion that Kyogo wants to leave Celtic. Even after he was linked with a move to rejoin Ange Postecoglou at Spurs, the Hoops striker never gave any hint that he was looking to leave the club.
He signed off for the season with two impressive performances for Japan in the Kirin Cup and will no doubt be desperate to improve on his performances in Europe next season.
Celtic must look to hang onto the talisman. If Brendan Rodgers wants to continue our domestic dominance and make an impact in Europe, Kyogo must be central to those plans.
In other news, Football scout provides insight as Celtic agree transfer fee for ‘genuine technician’
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