‘Celtic contacts reveal truth on shock Kyogo Furuhashi exit’
Celtic are adjusting to life without iconic striker Kyogo Furuhashi, who left the club to join French side Stade Rennais in the January transfer window.
The Japan international, 30, won three Scottish Premiership titles and the hearts of Hoops fans after arriving under Ange Postecoglou in 2021.
Furuhashi sent an emotional message to Celtic fans in the wake of his exit, with the Parkhead faithful left scratching their heads as to the driving force behind the shock move.
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness, who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has revealed what he’s heard from sources at Celtic.
Aberdeen’s former chief shares what he’s heard from Celtic on Kyogo sale
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the ex-Dons CEO claimed it was Furuhashi himself who pushed for the Rennes move.
The Ligue 1 side paid around £10million to land the forward, while Portuguese winger Jota moved in the opposite direction after an impressive previous Celtic spell.
Wyness claimed the Hoops didn’t “get rid” of Furuhashi – but the player expressed his desire to leave for pastures new.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “From all I’m hearing from my contacts, Kyogo really did want to be away.
“It wasn’t the club getting rid of him, he expressed his desire to move on.
“It’s a surprise, but nevertheless, he wanted to go to France – so fair enough.
“You don’t really want a player who doesn’t want to be at the club.
“The money was there for Celtic to replace him, and I think they tried.
“January is a tough window, and they were never going to overpay for players.”
Celtic to set sights on Matias Kvistgaarden this summer
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (4 February) that Celtic will try to sign Brondby star Mathias Kvistgaarden again in the summer transfer window.
The Hoops weighed up moves for their top targets in the final stages of the window and attempted to bring Kvistgaarden to Parkhead – but were priced out of a move.
Adam Idah will lead the line for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign having already hit 12 goals in all competitions this season.
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