Celtic ‘laundering’ players as Kyogo return tipped after Jota – ‘It’s not right’
Kyogo Furuhashi has been touted for a cut-price return to Celtic in the summer transfer window, prompting claims that the Scottish champions are “laundering” players.
The Japan international enjoyed an excellent three-and-a-half-year spell at Parkhead after joining the club in the summer of 2021, winning eight major titles and scoring 85 goals in 165 games in all competitions.
However, Celtic sold Kyogo to Rennes late in the January transfer window, with the attacker moving to the French side on a contract until the summer of 2027.
But despite his relatively recent departure, talk is already growing about a potential return to Glasgow for the 30-year-old in the near future.
Celtic tipped to re-sign Kyogo Furuhashi
It is understood that Celtic could move to re-sign Kyogo from Rennes in the summer if a deal can be agreed that is too good for the Scottish champions to turn down.
Should if happen, it wouldn’t be the only instance of the club bringing back a player for a reduced fee to what they received when selling them.
Back in January, Celtic re-signed Jota from Rennes for £8million after previously selling him to Saudi side Al-Ittihad for £25million just a year-and-a-half earlier.
Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney is set to return to the club from Arsenal on a free transfer when his contract with the Gunners expires at the end of this season, albeit after a much longer period away having initially left Parkhead in 2019.
Now, Paul Slane has suggested that the Scottish champions should indeed look to re-sign Kyogo in the summer.
| Kyogo Furuhashi for Rennes | Total (as per Transfermarkt) |
| Appearances | 6 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 |
| Red Cards | 0 |
| Minutes Played | 120 |
Speaking on Open Goal about potential new striker signings for Rodgers’ side in the transfer window, the former Celtic midfielder said: “I would have a wee sniff at bringing Kyogo back.
“It’s the same as the Tierney, the Jota [deals], you’ll get him for less than you sold him for, that would be a great bit of business.”
After host Si Ferry suggested another move of that nature would be “genius”, ex-Rangers and current Motherwell star Andy Halliday then joked about the club’s business, claiming: “I’m not having that, something’s not right here! You can’t keep bringing players back [on the cheap]!”
That then prompted host Si Ferry to humourously suggest that Halliday was implying Celtic are currently “laundering players” to aid their financial situation.
Brendan Rodgers would welcome striker return
Football Insider Verdict
As things stand, Rodgers‘ side are well on track to complete another domestic treble in Scotland this season.
Despite that, there have been some poor results and performances in recent weeks that have highlighted the need for Celtic to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window.
The return of Kyogo would help them to do that, with the Japan international already a proven goalscorer at this level.
With the Japan international struggling at Rennes, both the player and club may be open to completing this deal as well.
Given things have not worked out for him in France, his value is likely to have dropped, meaning Celtic could well turn a profit on Kyogo as well.
That too will help the club when it comes to the rest of their transfer business, so this is a suggestion that may well hold some weight in the coming months.