Reasons behind Manchester City’s Interest in Signing Kyogo Furuhashi

In a recent match against Chelsea, Erling Haaland scored his 91st goal for Manchester City in his 100th appearance for the club. But despite this, Pep Guardiola is exploring the addition of more attacking options as City aims for a fifth consecutive English title.

The departure of Julian Alvarez for €95 million ($103.7m) to Atletico Madrid and the injury to young winger Oscar Bobb have left a gap in City’s forward line.

Guardiola mentioned the possibility of new signings earlier this month, hinting at potential activity in the transfer market. This has led to the unexpected pursuit of Kyogo Furuhashi from Celtic.

Why Manchester City is Interested in Kyogo Furuhashi

Reports from The Athletic suggest that City is preparing to make a move for the Japanese striker before the end of the transfer window. Kyogo has been a prolific goal scorer for Celtic, with 73 goals in 135 games since joining from Vissel Kobe in 2021.

Two key factors contribute to City’s interest in Kyogo. He was signed by Ange Postecoglou, who has connections to City Football Group through his past coaching roles. Additionally, Kyogo played under Guardiola’s current assistant, Juanma Lillo, at Vissel Kobe.

While Kyogo may not overshadow Haaland, his potential role as a backup could be crucial in managing Haaland’s workload during a demanding season with various competitions.

Kyogo Furuhashi’s Shoulder Injury Concerns

An existing issue for Kyogo is his persistent shoulder problems, which recently caused him to miss a game for Celtic. The possibility of surgery looms, but City’s interest might influence Kyogo’s decision regarding the operation.

Kyogo Furuhashi’s Career Stats and Achievements

Throughout his career, Kyogo has displayed his scoring prowess, particularly in the Old Firm derbies against Rangers. However, questions persist about his performance at the elite level, with limited success in the UEFA Champions League.