Kyogo’s future at Rennes is under the spotlight, with fresh reports from France claiming the club are ready to cash in on the striker just six months after signing him from Celtic.
According to L’Équipe, Rennes are looking to offload up to seven players this summer and Kyogo is among those deemed surplus to requirements.
Incredibly, the French side have dramatically reduced their valuation of the 30-year-old, placing a price tag of £5.1 million on his head, almost half of the £10 million they shelled out to bring him in from the Hoops in January.
The Japanese international has made it clear he’s prepared to fight for his place in Ligue 1, but his immediate future remains uncertain. A potential move to Birmingham City looks to be gathering momentum, with the Championship side reportedly keen on bringing him to St Andrew’s ahead of the new season.
Meanwhile, speculation continues over a possible return to Celtic Park. Although there has been no formal move from the Scottish champions, the door is unlikely to be entirely shut on the striker, particularly as Brendan Rodgers continues to refresh the attack this summer.
Celtic are expected to bring in Fulham youngster Callum Osmand this summer to add depth up top, but Kyogo was a talismanic figure during his time at Celtic, and any talk of a return will naturally spark debate among supporters.
But given Rennes’ willingness to take a financial hit on the player, the ball may be in the buying club’s court, whether that’s Birmingham, Celtic, or another club.
Celtic would be mad not to buy Kyogo back for that price. It wasn’t just his goals that made him so successful for Celtic, it was his movement in and around the opposition box. Defenders just couldn’t watch him. He’s a far better option than some of the duds being touted as Celtic targets. It’s a no brainer at £5.1m. The question is: Does Kyogo want a return to Celtic and is Rodgers prepared to offer him a way back?
Kyogo will not want to come back. That’s not in his plans I beleave.
The best move for him would be to Birmingham City, where he will get the chance to play regularly with proper support.
While I am 150% behind the return of KT and Jota, I believe the fans who keep screaming for the past in players like Kyogo, Ajer, big Eddy etc need to stop and think, “why did these guys all leave in the first place?” They were all different cases from the other two!
Kyogo wasn’t happy with the position he was being asked to play or the way his game had to change to suit the team!
Ajer thought he was FAR too good for Celtic! Too big for his boots, and no pun intended there!
Big Eddy was just about the laziest player to ever play for the club!
Let them go be someone else’s problem!
I agree about Ajer and Eddie, but I think Kyogo would be a different person if he returned, having experienced the down side of leaving Celtic in the first place. He’s still one talented player. Rodgers was to blame for his drop off in goal scoring because of the way he used him. Big Ange knew how to get the best out of him and it was seriously good. He’s still capable
Rodgers is the manager. He isn’t going to change how he sets up to utilise Kyogo.
The guy is 30 years old and has a dodgy shoulder that could pop at any time and leave him in the physios room.
I wouldn’t want us spending over £5m on such a player, as good as he was 2 or 3 seasons back.
Totally agree. Some of the sour comments about Kyogo from a few fans just because he left are positively childish. The wee man gave us so many happy moments in big games and had a great relationship with the fans. I’d take him back in a heartbeat but sadly that’s unlikely to happen. Wish Kyogo all the best for the future wherever he ends up.
Kyogo was apparently so unhappy he left mid season with CL games on the horizon and he couldn’t even let the fans give him a send off.
He isn’t coming back and doesn’t deserve to, but at 5 million, half the price of Idah and twice the player. Let him sit on the bench behind Maeda just like he does for Japan.