David Ornstein explains Man City’s transfer pursuit of Celtic star Kyogo to Jamie Carragher

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The Kyogo Furuhashi exit talk at Celtic this week has come like a bolt from the blue for many supporters.

Everyone understands that the Japanese forward is one of the best players in Scotland right now, as well as one of the most celebrated and exciting performers for Celtic.

However, to this point, the Scottish champions haven’t had to field serious transfer offers for him. There has been comfort taken in the fact that Kyogo is approaching 30 and may not represent great value for clubs who admire his talent.

So the news of Manchester City showing interest in the player arriving certainly piqued intrigue about what’s ahead for Celtic at the end of this summer window.

Man City could see Celtic’s Kyogo as ‘temporary solution’

At first glance, it’s a jarring transfer link. City are an enormous operation these days with more resources than any other club in the UK. Would they really be looking to the Scottish Premiership?

However, as transfer journalist David Ornstein explained to Jamie Carragher on Monday, there’s a theory to the potential move.

Ornstein told The Overlap: “They’ll probably look to do one more, potentially. Whether it be a wide player or somebody who can play wide and up front to back-up Erling Haaland.

“They’ve been linked with the Celtic forward. He is one of their options but I don’t think they’ve settled on who they want to go for, if they will at all.

“It needs to be the right player who will accept playing second fiddle to Haaland if needed or the wingers who are there at the moment. That’s not an easy task.

“Man City don’t need to do a lot now, Ilkay Gundogan and perhaps one more. The Celtic player is of a higher age as well – it’s maybe a couple of temporary solutions at the moment for City just to tide them over.

“It’s coming into a really interesting period. Pep Guardiola is out of contract next summer, and many of the players are reaching a level of maturity that you could see them moving on – Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and so on. So, it is a fascinating time there.”

Celtic won’t let Kyogo go cheaply

Celtic know how important the striker is to the starting eleven. His 73 goals in 135 appearances, including a shed load against Rangers, have been crucial in delivering success over the last three seasons.

They aren’t going to let him go cheaply and their reported Kyogo valuation of over £20m sets the bar high on a potential exit. If City want him, they’ll have to pay a premium for a player turning 30 in January.

Who knows? Celtic might just manage to rebuff this interest despite the English club’s spending power. That’s what most Bhoys supporters will be keeping their fingers crossed for.