Kyogo Furuhashi, a Japan international, sealed a move to Ligue 1 team Rennes during the January transfer window, forcing Celtic to make the painful choice to eventually split ways with him.
According to reports, the seasoned striker was transferred to the French team for £10 million. He scored the team’s final two goals in a victory against Ross County in January.
During his three-and-a-half years at Parkhead, Kyogo scored 85 goals in 165 games across all competitions, demonstrating his effect on the Hoops.
Although the club was unable to acquire a new number nine to boost the team, Brendan Rodgers said that the idea was for Celtic to enter the market to find a replacement for the Japanese striker before the conclusion of the January transfer window.
Though rookie player Johnny Kenny has occasionally filled in, Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda have split the center-forward responsibilities during the second half of the season. However, the Hoops may try to find a permanent Kyogo successor during the summer transfer window.
In light of this, Celtic may consider pursuing one of these three attackers in order to eventually replace the Japan international before the 2025–2026 season.
Danish attacker Mathias Kvistgaarden, who presently plays for Brondby in his own country, may be the most apparent target for the Scottish Premiership winners.
Prior to failing to complete a transfer, the club was reportedly in negotiations to sign the 23-year-old shooter in January. He has already been linked to a move to Parkhead in the summer.
After Celtic’s interest at the beginning of the season, Kvistgaarden ultimately stayed at Brondby, but they are now trying to sign him this summer, which may be a great deal to eventually replace Kyogo.
With a total of 21 goals and assists in 28 games this season, the Denmark youth international has been playing well for Brondby in the Superliga, as the table above shows.
He can score in a number of ways, not just on the floor with his powerful foot, as evidenced by the fact that he has seven goals with his right foot, six with his left, and three with his head.
However, a former Hoops player has hinted at a return to Parkhead, so Kvistgaarden is not the only center-forward who might replace Kyogo for the Scottish this summer.
Giorgos Giakoumakis
Giorgos Giakoumakis, who left Celtic in February 2023 to join with Atlanta United, stated earlier this month in an interview with the Daily Record that he would “love” to play for the team once again in his career.
The Greek international is now playing for Cruz Azul in Mexico; it is unclear if he will ever be able to return to Glasgow, but he would be a fantastic fit for the Hoops.
It could make sense for Celtic to recruit a guy who can perform well off the bench if Maeda and Idah remain the team’s top starters at number nine, which is why Giakoumakis might be the perfect fit.
The Greek player had an amazing minute-to-goal ratio throughout his two seasons in the Premiership with Celtic, as the table above illustrates, demonstrating his ability to score goals even when he doesn’t start games frequently.
Of course, there is nothing at this moment in time to suggest that Celtic are interested in a deal to bring Giakoumakis back to the club, though, despite him appearing to be a good option to replace Kyogo on paper.
Finally, since it was announced that Kyogo will be a free agent this summer, the club may be able to pounce for experienced center-forward Jamie Vardy as a striker to finally replace him.
Former Scotland international Paul Dickov argued that a transfer to Parkhead may make sense, saying: “Maybe the logical link-up is with Brendan at Celtic given his time at Leicester with Jamie. I still think he’s got a lot to give.”
Vardy (70) is the only player in his managerial career to score more goals under Rodgers than Scott Sinclair (95), demonstrating the English forward’s effectiveness under the Celtic manager during their time together at the King Power.
After the Dane chose to reunite with Rodgers last summer, the former England international, who scored 145 goals for the Foxes in the Premier League, may follow in Kasper Schmeichel’s footsteps.
The 38-year-old great, who manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy called a “living legend,” may be a low-risk free agent who can still have a significant influence at the highest level despite his advanced age.
Vardy was the only player over 34 to score a goal in the Premier League, and the chart above shows that he contributed to 13 goals even though his team was demoted from the division.
The forward might be a great choice to replace Kyogo because of his longevity and talent, as evidenced by the fact that he scored goals routinely at that age when no one within three years of his age even scored a goal in the league.
His form this season shows that he still has the talent to play at the highest level, and Rodgers is a manager who already understands how to bring out the most in him, as seen by the striker’s goal return at Leicester.
In order to finally replace Kyogo as another speedy striker who enjoys making runs in behind, Celtic may be wise to recruit Vardy on a free transfer. For this reason, Rodgers might think about having another reunion this summer to replicate his Schmeichel masterpiece.
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