Man City eye up surprise swoop for Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi… with Pep Guardiola believed to have identified the Japanese as a potential replacement for Julian Alvarez

Kyogo Furuhashi could be set to make a surprise move to Manchester City as the Celtic forward is high on the list of names to replace Julian Alvarez.

The English champions are weighing up their options after their World Cup-winning Argentine striker completed an £82million move to Atletico Madrid following Liam Delap’s departure to Ipswich Town.

Manager Pep Guardiola is likely to have earmarked Kyogo as a possible option as he has no place for Erling Haaland.

Although no formal offer has yet been made for the 29-year-old, City are said to be genuinely interested in the player and a move could be possible in the coming days.

Pep Guardiola needs reinforcements for the strikers and is considering a move to Kyogo

Manchester City are short of cover for superstar striker Erling Haaland

Although Brendan Rodgers is a huge admirer of a player he recently described as ‘an elite striker’, the club are unlikely to block a deal if City were to come to the table with more than £20m.

The Japan international has been a huge success under Ange Postecoglou since his move from Vissel Kobe to Parkhead in 2021.

Kyogo, who signed a new four-year contract with Celtic last summer until 2027, has scored 73 goals in 135 games and won seven major trophies.

Rodgers strengthened the attacking position this summer with the £8.5million arrival of Adam Idah from Norwich.

Although Daizen Maeda scored twice against Hibernian on Sunday when playing as a midfielder, Kyogo’s departure would mean the manager would have to bring in another striker.

Kyogo missed that match with a persistent shoulder injury that Rodgers said could only be resolved with surgery.

Rodgers is keen to add more quality to his squad for the Champions League campaign

Celtic have signed former loan striker Adam Idan from Norwich for £8.5million

Meanwhile, Mateusz Bogusz has emerged as the latest possible replacement for Matt O’Riley.

Brighton are said to have completed a bid of over £25million, which should be enough to bring the Denmark international to the south coast.

Bogusz, who plays for LAFC, caught the attention of Celtic after scoring 13 goals from midfield in MLS.

It is believed Celtic will have to pay in excess of £7million for the 22-year-old if they are to complete the deal.

Bogusz came through the ranks at Polish club Ruch Chorzow before moving to Leeds United in 2019.

He played for Elland Road for four years, but only made one first-team appearance. For the 2020-21 season, he was loaned to Spanish second division club Logrones.

After spending another two years on loan at Ibiza, he left for California last year on a permanent contract.

Rodgers has also been linked with Lausanne’s Alvyn Sanches and Augsburg’s Arne Engels as he prepares for life without O’Riley.

Meanwhile, defender Yuki Kobayashi is on the verge of signing a permanent contract with Portuguese side Portimonense.