In the January window, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers provides an update on Kyogo Furuhashi’s transfer in light of Man City’s interest.

In the January window, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers provides an update on Kyogo Furuhashi’s transfer in light of Man City’s interest.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers says Manchester City are yet to approach the Scottish side over Kyogo Furuhashi.

The Japanese forward is believed to have caught the eye of the champions after Pep Guardiola was left short on strikers following Julian Alvarez’s move to Atletico Madrid in an £80million-plus deal. Celtic have reportedly put a £20million price tag on the 29-year-old.

However, having lost Matt O’Riley to Brighton, Rodgers will be reluctant to part ways with one of the key players in his squad. Kyogo has scored an impressive 73 goals in 135 appearances since arriving in Glasgow in 2021.

Speaking to the media ahead of their Sunday trip to St Mirren, the former Liverpool boss said: “There’s been so many players linked with going away but that’s no different, there’s nothing concrete.”

When asked about whether there had been an approach from City, Rodgers added: “Naturally it comes and we just deal with it. But there’s been nothing from Man City. It’s obviously rumour and gossip. I haven’t spoken to him directly on that.

“If I was speaking to every player around gossip and speculation, I would be 24 hours a day. It’s of no interest to me. My focus is very much here with Celtic and preparing the team for the game at the weekend. Most importantly for me is he is now back feeling comfortable on the grass. He has been brilliant in training the last couple of days and he will be available for the weekend.”

“He gives everything in every game he plays, he’s a threat. If he doesn’t score a goal he works so hard for the team. He delivers in the big games. There’s not much of him out there and he’s up against big strong defenders who get very physical with him at times. But make no mistake, he’s a winner. I’ve seen it first-hand. He wants that responsibility to rise to the occasion.

“He wants to be the person who delivers and he did it again today. He was the first one I wanted here. He didn’t arrive first but he was the first I wanted to make sure we brought in because I’d experienced him first-hand in Japan as an opponent, which I didn’t enjoy. I knew what he had to bring, not just as a player but as a person. He’s outstanding.”