Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - January 2, 2023. Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi after the match.
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou wants to build his side around attacker Kyogo Furuhashi, amid reports of him moving away from Parkhead this summer.
The Lowdown: Kyogo linked with exit
In recent weeks, the Japanese has been linked with a summer switch elsewhere, with a move to the Premier League potentially coming to fruition.
Furuhashi has arguably been Celtic’s most influential player so far this season, scoring 19 goals in 24 Scottish Premiership appearances, as well as netting three times in the domestic cup competitions.
The 28-year-old’s current Hoops deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2025 but they could have their work cut out keeping hold of him.
The Latest: Ange desperate to keep striker
Speaking to Give Me Sport, journalist Pete O’Rourke claimed that Postecoglou intends to make Furuhashi the focal point of his team moving forward:
“I think Ange Postecoglou will be determined to keep Kyogo and he’s looking to build a team around him as well.
“I’m sure Celtic, unless it was a big, big money offer, will probably look to keep the Japanese international.”
The Verdict: Vital that he stays put
The possible Premier League interest is something that Furuhashi will find difficult to ignore, given its status as arguably the best league in the world currently.
For that reason, it would be hard to begrudge the 16-cap Japan international a summer exit, but it is absolutely vital the club does all it can to keep hold of him, with Postecoglou recently describing him as ‘phenomenal’.
Furuhashi is such a huge player both on and off the ball, scoring 42 goals in 67 matches for Celtic, and at 28, he should remain at his best for several years to come.
Should the £19,000-a-week attacker demand to leave this summer, it is essential that the money is used wisely and a top-quality replacement comes in instead.
About the Author
