It is protected to say that the sale of former Celtic hero Kogo Furuhashi did not go properly for everybody, particularly the Japanese striker himself.
The 31-year-old, who moved to Rennes in January 2025, simply weeks earlier than the Glasgow facet confronted Bayern Munich within the Champions League, spent simply six months in France and failed to attain in any aggressive matches.
He moved to England’s second division for £10 million in the summertime, however since then he has scored simply three targets in complete, together with his solely league objective for Birmingham Metropolis.
Such woes led to speak of a return to Parkhead earlier this 12 months, however Martin O’Neill and co ultimately settled on Junior Adam and Tomas Kvankala, with the duo scoring simply three targets since then.
It has been about 18 months since Kyogo’s sale, however the gap nonetheless hasn’t been crammed, and buying a brand new No. 9 is a high precedence this summer season.
Celtic’s favorites to signal main centre-forward this summer season
The article is telling, regardless of the younger Irishman being loaned to Bolton Wanderers in January, Johnny Kenny stays the top-scoring striker to have performed for Celtic this season, each within the Premiership and on all fronts.
Celtic Striker – 25/26 SPFL | ||
|---|---|---|
participant | recreation | the objective |
kenny | 15 | 4 |
Iheanacho | 5 | 2 |
Kvankara | 7 | 2 |
Adam | 3 | 0 |
Osmund | 1 | 0 |
Yamada | 8 | 0 |
complete | 39 | 8 |
Kelechi Iheanacho, Callum Osmando, Shin Yamada and now Adam have all did not make an enduring influence, whereas the aforementioned Kvankala has solely scored two targets since scoring the spot-kick towards Motherwell, regardless of his rising standing as a cult hero.
The proposal would require the Glasgow giants to pay a payment of round £7m to signal the Czech striker on a everlasting switch on the finish of the season, however there may be actually an argument that that cash can be higher spent elsewhere.
In actual fact, Soccer Insider reviews that Celtic are seen as favorites forward of Leeds United within the race to signal Kasper Hogg, with each golf equipment stated to be among the many golf equipment “pursuing a deal” to land the Bodø/Glimt sensation.
In keeping with reviews, Celtic and Championship facet Norwich Metropolis made strikes for the 25-year-old in January, however the Norwegian facet have remained agency and regardless of the excessive profile, a summer season departure remains to be not sure.
The report outlines that ought to Hoch depart, Champions League soccer is more likely to be a deciding think about his subsequent transfer, with the Scottish champions at the moment favored over Leeds as they nonetheless have hope of qualifying.
Why Celtic can goal one of the best striker since Keigo
That they’re right here in title competition, even with out a prolific and dependable centre-forward, is a testomony to O’Neill’s latest work and the unbelievable efficiency of 15-goal star Benjamin Nygren.
Higher than Claudio Braga: Celtic can signal new Larsson for simply £5m
Celtic might discover their subsequent Henrik Larsson by signing a star who is healthier than Claudio Braga.
The elegant Swede has shouldered the goalscoring burden himself, particularly in 2026, however that’s not a long-term answer as Celtic want a striker like Kyogo.
In Ange Postecoglou’s first managerial function, Keigo proved to be arguably probably the most profitable Australian addition, happening to attain 85 targets in 165 video games, together with eight in simply 17 video games towards Rangers.
Standing 6ft 1in tall, Hoch has a special profile as a striker, however has been aiming for brand spanking new heights since becoming a member of Bodo in 2024, boasting medical high quality in entrance of objective.
Over the previous 18 months or so, the Scandinavian star has achieved related outcomes to Kyogo throughout his time at Celtic, scoring 45 targets and offering an additional 15 assists in 88 video games.
This contains 5 targets within the staff’s spectacular Champions League marketing campaign, which simply ended on Wednesday evening, and so they have scored 12 and 17 targets of their final two league video games, respectively.
Though he had 5 assists in his most up-to-date elite season, Hogg was very similar to Kyogo when it comes to being a poacher, averaging simply 23.5 touches per recreation.
For comparability, in his final full Premiership season (2023/24), Keigo averaged 16.9 touches per recreation, falling simply brief, though he did boast 5 assists.
With the likes of Yang Hyun-joong and Sebastian Tunekuti of their wings, and supported by artistic full-backs like Kieran Tierney, what Celtic now as soon as once more want is somebody to place the of entirety on, very similar to Kyogo did to devastating impact towards Parkhead.
It is clearly not going to be straightforward to get Hope over the road and signal him, however the Hoops, who’ve struggled to signal centre-forwards over the previous 12 months or so, must lastly get this proper.
Kvankala could have his upside, however Ho’s contract would signify a category above.
Dream first Askou signing: Celtic might make huge improve for Kvankala for £5m
Celtic might land the proper first signing if Jens Askou takes over this summer season.
