Atlanta United president Garth Lagerwey has been quizzed about potential interest in Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi after a mix-up on the official Major League Soccer website caused a frenzy of speculation.
On Wednesday evening, while Furuhashi was preparing to face Dundee United at Celtic Park, the MLS website erroneously published an article announcing the Japanese star’s move to Atlanta United. The post was quickly deleted, and MLS issued an apology, clarifying it was a mistake and unrelated to any real transfer activity.
Speaking to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, via RecordSport, Lagerwey refrained from commenting directly on the possibility of signing Kyogo but did shed light on the club’s transfer strategy this window.
“There are fewer good players available in the winter versus summer,” he said. “But please don’t misunderstand: There are good players available in the winter, and if we can get the two that we think are right, we’ll get them now.
“What we won’t compromise on is we won’t sign a lesser player in an effort to do it quickly.”
He added: “In terms of the DPs (designated players), those are the big focus and can we get the right guys in by the start of the season?”
Kyogo has been in stellar form since joining Celtic, endearing himself to fans with his goalscoring exploits and work rate. The Japanese forward’s popularity has only grown under Brendan Rodgers, and the club has yet to receive any formal approaches for him.
Atlanta’s rumoured interest adds to the ongoing speculation about Kyogo’s future, but with no confirmed offers and his importance to Celtic’s plans, it remains unlikely the striker will leave during this window, as things stand.
Celtic are bracing for a busy January window but appear determined to keep hold of key players, particularly with Champions League fixtures still in play and domestic success on the line. Kyogo’s value to Rodgers’ side makes any mid-season exit difficult to envision, particularly for the reported £9.5m fee Atlanta are rumoured to be considering.
