Manchester City add Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi to striker shortlist

Manchester City are reportedly considering swooping for Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi as they look to replace Julian Alvarez. The Japanese striker was in excellent form last season and would be open to taking up a squad role with the reigning Premier League champions.

The Athletic reports that City are contemplating a move for Furuhashi, 29. He is on their shortlist of potential Alvarez replacements. He impressed last season at Celtic Park with 19 goals and five assists in 50 games across competitions.

Pep Guardiola is looking for a new attacker following Alvarez’s £82 million exit, which was a surprise given that he suggested he wanted more game time. He was a regular for the Cityzens last season but wanted a more prominent role, which he may get at his new club, Atletico Madrid.

Alvarez was perhaps frustrated to play second fiddle to Erling Haaland at the Etihad, but that won’t be the case for Furuhashi. He’s a player that Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou knows well, as he signed him for Celtic in July 2021. He can play up top as a No.9 and second striker and has netted five times in 21 caps for Japan.

Former Scottish striker Kris Boyd delved into Furuhashi’s potential move to Manchester City and what role he might be given. The pundit told Sky Sports:

“I imagine with Manchester City he’d probably be back-up but of course he could do a job with his movement, his pace, his work rate.“

Furuhashi has three years left on his contract with Celtic and missed Brendan Rodgers’ side’s season opener due to a shoulder injury. He could be one to watch as the transfer window reaches its latter stages.

Ilkay Gundogan returns to Manchester City from Barcelona

Manchester City will strengthen with the impending signing of Ilkay Gundogan, who makes a remarkable return to the Etihad just a year after leaving. He’s set to sign a one-year deal with the Cityzens and is leaving Barcelona for free after a mixed time in Catalonia with the La Liga giants.

Gundogan, 33, held positive talks with his former club, and Guardiola gave the green light to a reunion with the German international. The Cityzens view him as a hero, and he won 14 major trophies and made 304 appearances before leaving last summer.

Guardiola will be glad to have Gundogan, not just for his experience but also to deal with an injury blow that hit Oscar Bobb last week. The Norweigan midfielder is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking his leg. He had been a prominent member of the City side during pre season.