Man City eye up surprise swoop for Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi… with Pep Guardiola believed to have identified the Japanese as a potential replacement for Julian Alvarez

Kyogo Furuhashi could be set for a stunning move to Manchester City with the Celtic forward high on a shortlist of names to replace Julian Alvarez.

The English champions are considering their options after their World Cup-winning Argentinian striker competed his £82million transfer to Atletico Madrid following Liam Delap’s switch to Ipswich Town.

Now short on cover for Erling Haaland, manager Pep Guardiola is believed to have identified Kyogo as a possible option.

While no formal bid has yet been lodged for the 29-year-old, City’s interest in the player is said to be genuine with a move possible in the coming days.

Pep Guardiola needs striking reinforcements and is eyeing a move for Kyogo

Manchester City are short on cover for superstar striker Erling Haaland

While Brendan Rodgers is a big admire of a player he recently described as ‘an elite striker’, the club would be unlikely to block on any deal if City came to the table with more than £20m.

The Japan international has been a huge success at Parkhead since joining under Ange Postecoglou in 2021 from Vissel Kobe.

Kyogo, who signed a new four-year deal at Celtic until 2027 last summer, has scored 73 goals in 135 games and won seven major honours.

Rodgers has strengthened the forward position this summer with the £8.5m signing of Adam Idah from Norwich.

Although Daizen Maeda scored a double while playing through the middle against Hibernian on Sunday, the departure of Kyogo would require the manager to move for another striker.

Kyogo missed that game due to an ongoing shoulder issue which Rodgers admitted could only be resolved with surgery.

Rodgers is keen to add quality to his squad ahead of their Champions League campaign

Celtic have secured former loan striker Adam Idan in a £8.5m deal from Norwich

Meanwhile, Mateusz Bogusz has emerged at the latest possible replacement for Matt O’Riley.

Brighton are thought to be finalising a bid more than £25m that should be enough to take the Denmark international to the south coast.

Bogusz, who plays for LAFC, has caught Celtic’s attention after scoring 13 times from midfield in the MLS.

It’s believed Celtic would have to pay upwards of £7m for the 22-year-old if they want to close the deal.

Bogusz came through the ranks at Polish club Ruch Chorzow before joining Leeds United in 2019.

He spent four years at Elland Road but only made one first-team appearance and was loaned out to Spanish second tier outfit Logrones for 2020-21.

After two further years on loan with Ibiza, he moves to California on a permanent deal last year.

Rodgers has also been linked with Lausanne’s Alvyn Sanches and Arne Engels of Augsburg as he prepares for life without O’Riley.

Meanwhile, frozen out defender Yuki Kobayashi is set to sign for Portuguese side Portimonense on a permanent deal.