- Man City are reportedly eyeing a Scottish Premier League striker
- There is one problem though that could cause trouble if they chase him
- LISTEN NOW: It’s all about to begin!available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Manchester City have reportedly signed a Scottish Premier League star as a potential replacement for Julian Alvarez.
The champions have narrowed their shortlist to two strikers, with a younger attacker joining the SPL striker line-up.
Alvarez’s £81million move to Atletico Madrid is one of the most surprising transfers of the summer, given his young age and the club’s importance to City.
The 24-year-old World Cup winner played the fifth most minutes of any City player last season and won six trophies in two-and-a-half years at the Etihad Stadium.
He expressed his frustration at being left out of City’s biggest games, and the club are looking for someone willing to accept a role in the squad.
Man City are reportedly eyeing an SPL star as a potential replacement for Julian Alvarez
The champions are interested in Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi, who scored 73 goals in 153 games for them
The Athletics report that City are interested in Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi, 29, and a younger forward. Furuhashi is keen to join them.
Kyogo joined Celtic for £4.5million in July 2021 and has scored 73 goals in 153 games for the club, winning the Scottish Premier League and four domestic cups in each season.
An important point to consider is that Kyogo may require surgery for a long-standing shoulder problem.
The operation would keep him out for four months. ‘I think he’s had this problem for a long time, long before he joined Celtic,’ said Brendan Rodgers.
“I believe he had it in Japan, where he just has a shoulder problem and from time to time it gets a little irritated and a little sore. He could have surgery, but that would probably put him out for about four months. Only he can decide that.”
Ange Postecoglou brought him from Vissel Kobe in his native Japan and was very complimentary about him.
“I’ve said it a few times, ever since this kid got here he’s been fantastic,” he said after Furuhashi scored twice against Rangers.
“He gives everything in every game he plays, he is a threat. When he is not scoring a goal, he works so hard for the team. He delivers in the big games. He is a winner.
Ange Postecoglou described Kyogo’s movement as ‘the best I’ve ever seen’ when he played for Celtic
‘I had personally encountered him as an opponent in Japan, and I didn’t like that very much.
“I knew what he had to offer, not only as a player but also as a person. He is excellent.”
Another time, Postecoglou described Furuhashi’s movement as “the best I’ve ever seen.”
It is a major challenge to adequately replace Alvarez, who has signed a six-year contract with Atlético.
The fact that he was paid a transfer fee of £81m shows his status in the game. Finding a player of similar quality who is prepared to sit out important games is an unenviable task.