GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Celtic's Jota (L) and Kyogo Furuhashi celebrate at full time during the Viaplay Cup final between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden Park, on February 26, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
The post-match celebrations for beating YB Bern had barely started when Celtic fans were hit with a double transfer shock.
David Friel of The Sun is well connected with all matters Celtic, in February 2021 he broke the news of Neil Lennon’s exit as manager 10 hours before the Stock Market announcement.
Last night, at precisely 22.47, about an hour after the final whistle, Friel revealed two transfer tales that will overshadow the news that Celtic are certain of Champions League football next month with an outside chance of reaching the top eight of the new look competition.
The Sun reported:
RENNES are closing in on a £10million move for Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi.
The Ligue 1 side hope to seal a deal for the Japanese striker after the Hoops qualified for the Champions League knockouts.
Celtic’s 1-0 win over Young Boys could be Kyogo’s last for the Hoops – with the French side keen to bring him in immediately.
The 30-year-old has been Rennes boss Jorge Sampaoli’s top target this month and he’s now confident of getting his man.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed he won’t stand in his way – if Kyogo decides he wants out.
Kyogo joined Celtic three-and-a-half years ago under Ange Postecoglou but could now bring a glittering Parkhead career to an end.
It would seem that a story of that magnitude must have been brewing through the day rather than falling into place straight after the final whistle.
There has been speculation about Kyogo leaving since before Christmas while there is almost always chat and wishful thinking about former players, like Kieran Tierney returning.
Forty five minutes after revealing the Kyogo story Friel had another blockbuster:
CELTIC are eyeing a stunning move for Jota – as Rennes close in on a £10million deal for Kyogo Furuhashi.
The Ligue 1 side hope to seal a deal for the Japanese striker after the Hoops qualified for the Champions League knockouts.
But SunSport understands Celtic could do more business with Rennes as they explore the possibility of bringing Jota back.
The Portuguese winger is expected to leave the French side this month and Brendan Rodgers could offer him a sensational Parkhead return.
After the drama of the win over YB the prospect of a double transfer deal will leave Celtic fans shocked this morning.
Kyogo has been part of the fabric of the club since August 2021, scoring a hat-trick on his home debut with his goals driving the club to eight out of 10 domestic trophies.
Jota left in June 2023 just as Rodgers took over from Ange Postecoglou, now he could be back playing under the Irishman with Celtic looking for a striker to replace their Japanese talisman.
Picture by Getty Images
No go kyogo
No Kyo-going please. Yes to the return of Jota please. I’m usually not one for bringing players back but it’s a no-brainer. KT on the other hand is too much of a risk due to his biscuit knees, sorry.
Kyogo may stay at Celtic FC, because the Club has looked after him, his wife and the twins so wonderfully well. The Japanese and Spanish interpreter provided by
Celtic, shows how considerate and thoughtful Celtic Management has been to the Japanese Players plus Luis and Paulo. Frogs expect Foreigners to learn the French language and speak it for commercial transactions.
Brendan Rodgers has the gumption to back the release of Kyogo.
There could be a “wear and tear” factor plus goal drop-off, in Breadan’s decision?
Kyogo is invaluable in Champions League games. Teams watch him like a hawke.
Jota would be a good signing. Looks like he will be a striker, if he comes back to Celtic. All I have said is probably as untrue as the reports of most Celtic incomings.
I will wait for Celtic to make any announcements.
All this talk about players returning & players leaving is driving me nuts ,Celtic should not wait until the last games of the c l before making decisions about who comes & who goes , if we do start to buy players in the last few days we may end up paying more , ie Adam Idah spring to mind ?? H H .
Why would Joya be playing as a striker? We needed a left winger and jota is that.. unless we sign another winger.. i think we will sign a striker.
when did brendan rodgers say he wont stand in his way ?.
He said it a few weeks ago at a match press conference.
Can’t afford his wages. Maybe we should bring back Larson and Sutton. They did a great job. Maybe throw in Martin O’Neil while we’re at it.
At kayogos age it’s good bit of business 10 million
Outstanding id say and if we can get jota back at 7.5 million at 27 years old after selling for 25 it’s a no brainer we need to get him fit tho be next season before you’d see the old jota i think we’d see a better celtic team could do with a new striker now tho dose Johnny Kenny get a run now I wonder ?