Kyogo makes decision on bombshell Celtic return

Kyogo Furuhashi is reluctant to leave Birmingham City this month, despite rumours that he could be set to return to former club Celtic on loan for the remainder of the season.

The Japan centre forward is without a Championship goal in 23 matches since his arrival at St Andrew’s last summer and he has fallen down the pecking order under manager Chris Davies in recent weeks.

Kyogo has only started seven out of a possible 26 league matches so far this term and it has been reported that Celtic chiefs are working on a deal to bring him back to the club on a six-month loan deal until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

The 30-year-old scored 85 goals and provided 19 assists in 165 appearances during a hugely successful spell at Celtic Park before his departure to Stade Rennais in January 2025, and he has been earmarked as a top target for the winter transfer window.

Kyogo Furuhashi unconvinced by Celtic return

Interim boss Martin O’Neill has urged the Celtic hierarchy to dip into the market this month and the reigning Scottish Premiership champions are expected to prioritise the signing of at least one new striker amid the woes of current options Johnny Kenny and Shin Yamada.

Links with Evan Ferguson and Wessam Abou Ali have died down over the past week, and Kyogo has instead emerged as a leading candidate for the role.

However, The Herald report that Celtic face an “uphill battle” to reach an agreement with their former star.

It’s claimed that Kyogo is reluctant to give up on his career at Birmingham and will therefore need to be persuaded to complete a sensational return to the Scottish giants.

Furthermore, it’s reported that he currently earns £40,000 per week at St Andrew’s and this remains a major obstacle for Celtic to overcome if they are to secure his signature before the end of the January transfer window.

Football transfer news headlines today

DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer around Europe today

TRANSFER RUMOURS: Chelsea make major move as January agreement confirmed

Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Guehi U-TURN, Bruno Fernandes UPDATE, Liverpool SIGNING

Three immediate issues Liam Rosenior must fix at Chelsea

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store