Rodgers stance on letting Kyogo leave Celtic revealed

By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

26th Jun, 2023 | 1:00pm

Revealed: Rodgers stance on letting Kyogo leave Celtic

New Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers does not want to allow star man Kyogo Furuhashi to leave the club this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed Rodgers is keen to keep the 28-year-old at Parkhead as he aims to make a splash in the Champions League in the 2023-24 campaign.

Premier League newcomers Burnley have become the latest side to be linked with a summer move for Furuhashi.

However, a well-placed source has told Football Insider that the Japan international is likely to command a fee well outside the Clarets’ price range.

Football Insider revealed earlier this month (7 June) that Furuhashi also has interest from Premier League trio Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace – as well as Serie A and Bundesliga clubs.

It was also revealed that Celtic have held early talks over a new contract for the star striker in a bid to keep him at the club after another goal-laden season in Scotland.

The 28-year-old’s current deal is set to expire in May 2025.

Scottish Player of the Year Furuhashi scored 34 times in the 2022-23 campaign and was the standout player for Celtic as they won a domestic treble.

He signed for Celtic in the summer of 2021 and has gone on to score 54 goals in only 83 appearances.

The 16-cap Japan international was brought to the club by former Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou, who has since left for Premier League Tottenham.

But Rodgers is keen to build on his predecessors’ work by keeping Furuhashi at Parkhead in a bid to transform Celtic into a force in European football.

The Glasgow giants will enter the Champions League at the group stage in September – the same round they were eliminated from in the 2022-23 campaign.

In other news, Celtic starlet agrees to join Man City-owned club.