Kyogo nears £10m Celtic exit with Jota return close

Rennes are hopeful of completing the signing of Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi for around £10m on Thursday, as Jota closes in on a return to the Hoops in the opposite direction.

Sky Sports News understands Kyogo has arrived in France ahead of his move to Rennes, with the Japan international set to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms.

Sky Sports News also understands separate negotiations on a deal worth £8m for Rennes winger Jota to re-join Celtic has reached advanced stages, with the player keen to return to Glasgow.

Celtic sold Jota to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad in 2023 for a then-club record £25m.

But the 25-year-old has been frozen out at Rennes since joining last summer.

Kyogo wanted to join a club in Europe’s top five leagues

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Rennes boss Jorge Sampaoli said of the Kyogo move: “We hope that the deal will be completed today for Kyogo – and if it is the case – he could have minutes at Monaco.

“He is a player that we wanted ardently and who can bring us depth.”

Kyogo has been a key player for the Hoops since arriving in Scotland in the summer of 2021 under Ange Postecoglou.

However, his form for Celtic has not always been recognised by Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu, who has previously criticised the Scottish league.

It’s believed Kyogo would welcome the chance to join a club in one of Europe’s top five leagues, despite Celtic’s progression to the Champions League knockouts.

The 30-year-old, who had three goals disallowed against Young Boys on Wednesday night, has netted 85 times for the Hoops in all competitions.

‘If a player doesn’t want to be here, then go’

Brendan Rodgers admitted last week he will not stand in anyone’s way if their heart is set on leaving Celtic:

“I think the biggest thing is if a player doesn’t want to be here, then go, and then it’s at that point, then the club has to get the best possible deal. So I don’t ever see the point of keeping someone who doesn’t want to be here.

“But I think for us, it’s all eventualities. That’s what we prepare for, whether it’s injuries, whether it’s transfers. You always have to be ready and that’s our message.

“But for him [Kyogo] at this moment in time, he’s happy, he’s working well, he’s scoring goals and enjoying his football.

“People always look into something – ‘he didn’t celebrate enough or he didn’t do this or he didn’t do that’.

“I see him every day, I see his work, I see his intensity. And maybe he scores so much that he doesn’t really have to celebrate madly all the time. Or maybe it was too cold. But he’s just the same guy.

“But there’s always speculation and we’re not scared of the speculation and the gossip. So there’ll always be wee bits and pieces around him.”

Boyd: Kyogo exit will worry Celtic fans

Ex-Rangers striker Kris Boyd speaking on Sky Sports News:

“The one for me – and I think it would worry the Celtic fans – would be Kyogo leaving.

“He has been the difference in a lot of games this season and he scores big goals. I get the fact that he’s probably getting to the stage of his career where he wants to have one last big move, maybe earn top dollar, but Celtic they’re not going to break their model for anyone and for them to get £10m is good business.

“But goal scorers are hard to come by and Kyogo definitely falls into that category.”

Celtic hold initial talks to sign Barry

Celtic have held initial talks over a possible deal for winger Louie Barry – but Aston Villa remain reluctant to sell the player and have offered him a new contract.

Villa prefer to keep Barry and loan him out for his development – and he has interest from most of the Championship and several clubs abroad.

Barry was recalled from his loan at Stockport County earlier this month, for Unai Emery to take a closer look and assess his readiness for first-team football.