Manchester City sent scouts to watch 29-year-old Japanese international Kyogo Furuhashi in Celtic’s UEFA Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava this week.
According to a report by Graeme Bailey on HITC, Kyogo Furuhashi remains the subject of interest from Manchester City. The Premier League champions mulled over signing the Celtic attacker in the summer transfer window before a move failed to materialise. However, they sent scouts to watch the 29-year-old in Celtic’s UEFA Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava this week.
Kyogo Furuhashi and his journey at Celtic
Kyogo Furuhashi has established himself as one of the most underrated attackers in Europe since joining Celtic from Vissel Kobe in July 2021. A native of Ikoma, he spent his formative years and most of his career in Japan. The Asian attacker passed through the academies at Sakuragaoka FC, Aspergas Ikoma FC, Kokoku HS, and Chuo University before rising in prominence at Vissel Kobe.
The 29-year-old has gone from strength to strength in the last three years at Celtic, with his versatility making him an asset for the Scottish champions. Furuhashi can play across the frontline while retaining his productivity, considering he contributed to 24 goals in 50 outings across all competitions last season by finding the back of the net 19 times and providing five assists.
In addition, the Japanese attacker has been a regular for the Blue Samurai, making 21 appearances for his national side. Meanwhile, Kyogo Furuhashi’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, including Manchester City.
Manchester City want Furuhashi
Manchester City attempted to sign Kyogo Furuhashi in the summer transfer window before a move failed to materialise. The continued interest in the versatile Asian attacker makes sense, considering the Premier League champions did not sign a replacement for Julian Alvarez this past summer.
Erling Haaland is the only prolific attacker at Manchester City, with only three other players finding the back of the net for the Citizens thus far this term. While Phil Foden will support Haaland, Manchester City should have another productive forward in the first-team squad. So, it is hardly surprising that they scouted Furuhashi this week.
Manchester City had scouts present at Celtic Park as the Scottish champions cruised to a 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava. Furuhashi scored a goal in that game, and the Manchester City watchers would have been impressed by his performance.
