Kyogo post-Celtic nightmare compounded as Rennes identify new desired striker

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It’s highly unlikely that Kyogo will be a Rennes player beyond this summer.

It has been a difficult time for the Celtic hero since he left Glasgow with his time in Ligue 1 providing little opportunity for him to show what he’s capable of.

Kyogo netted 85 goals at Parkhead and was prolific for the Scottish Premiership giants but he has not been given a fair shake at Rennes with just a combined 112 minutes of action from four outings.

Kyogo was told to ‘pack up and leave’ by a French journalist who suggested his time was already up under Habib Beye while a Japanese reporter claimed Kyogo had “broken trust” of his manager which would play against him down the line.

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Florian Thauvin could be Kyogo Rennes replacement

It would have been difficult for a “frustrated” Kyogo to hear but the 30-year-old seemed resigned to a summer exit with his comments this week claiming he feels he could make a splash elsewhere.

And with an exit on the cards, Rennes will need fresh talent up front for Beye to work with if he’s not having Kyogo.

According to reports in France at L’Equipe, the club have already identified an attacker they hope to bring in later this year when the transfer market opens and they can do business again.

Should Kyogo be permitted to leave, Rennes reportedly hold a keen interest in France international Florian Thauvin who currently plies his trade for Udinese in Serie A.

Kyogo stats vs Florian Thauvin

Thauvin has seemingly been on Rennes’ shortlist for a number of years with the first online reports linking the two parties came all the way back in 2016.

Thauvin has hit nine goals from 26 outings this season for Udinese but he’s hitting an age where perhaps first-team starts may be limited in future at 32.

His most prolific stint in his career was in Ligue 1 with Marseille where he banged in 86 goals in 281 appearances, chipping in with 61 assists in that time.