Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Man City transfer news: Citizens 'still interested' in 29-year-old after summer approach

sportsmole.co.uk, 15 September 2024, 22:35
A deal to bring Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi to Manchester City is not completely dead in the water, according to a report.

The Japan international emerged as a surprise target for the Premier League champions during the summer transfer window, where Julian Alvarez unexpectedly jumped ship for Atletico Madrid.

After spending two years playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland, Alvarez sought regular first-team football under compatriot Diego Simeone, leaving Man City extremely light in the striker's department.

Having failed to sign a backup for Haaland in the summer window, the Norway international is now the only recognised number nine in City's ranks, although a few players can fill in as an emergency solution.

According to Football Insider, Man City might address their lack of a second striker during the January transfer window, and Furuhashi is still on the shortlist of possible options.

Furuhashi age 'could scupper' Man City move

The former Vissel Kobe man was brought to Scotland by Ange Postecoglou in 2021 and has had a direct hand in 90 goals in 138 games for the Bhoys in all tournaments, 74 of his own and 16 assists.

Furuhashi has one goal and one assist to show from five games in the 2024-25 campaign, helping Brendan Rodgers's side make a perfect start to their title defence, and his contract still has three years left to run.

The 29-year-old was supposedly contacted by Man City over the summer, as his 'movement' and ruthlessness in front of goal had caught the eye of staff, but the Premier League champions are in no rush to add to their squad in January.

Guardiola is said to be satisfied with the attacking options he has at his disposal, and the report also claims that Furuhashi's age could put a transfer in jeopardy, as the Japan international turns 30 in January.

However, City could still make a move for the Celtic man if the opportunity presents itself, although he should not expect a four or five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.

Who else can play up front for City?

Even though Haaland is the only out-and-out number nine in the senior squad, Guardiola has a handful of versatile players at his disposal who can play as a false nine, including Kevin De Bruyne.

The 33-year-old often led the line in the latter stages of the 2020-21 Champions League season, starting both legs of the semi-final and the final against Chelsea as the focal point of City's attack.

Bernardo Silva is no stranger to a centre-forward's role either, and nor is Phil Foden, who scored seven goals in 14 games through the middle during the 2021-22 Premier League campaign.

Any of Foden, Silva or De Bruyne could have been forced to fill in up front against Brentford at the weekend, as Haaland was offered compassionate leave following the death of a close family friend.

However, the 24-year-old opted to play and broke another record with his brace in a 2-1 win, putting him up to nine goals for the season as City made it four wins from four in 2024-25.

Top News

22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two places separate Willem II and NAC Breda in the Eredivisie table heading into Sunday's gameweek 13 meeting at Koning Willem II Stadion. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Premier League football returns this weekend, with the final international break of 2024 now being completed. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Jack Grealish has revealed whether or not he would ever appear on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pep Guardiola has insisted he will remain Manchester City manager even if the club are relegated over alleged breaches of financial rules. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming for a victory to start Patrick Vieira's tenure positively, Genoa seek maximum against a Cagliari side one place ahead of them in the Serie A table ahead of Sunday's gameweek 13 match at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim takes charge of his inaugural Manchester United match on Sunday afternoon, when his Red Devils side face Ipswich Town at Portman Road in the Premier League. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is guaranteed to set a new club record in Saturday's Premier League home meeting with Nottingham Forest. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Southampton boss Russell Martin has confirmed that both Aaron Ramsdale and Jan Bednarek will be sidelined for "a number of weeks". 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Alistair Johnston has claimed that he is "exactly where I want to be" as he enters the prime years of his career after signing a contract extension at Celtic until the summer of 2029. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ajax will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Eredivisie this weekend when they face off against PEC Zwolle at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Sunday afternoon. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Premier League champions Manchester City will be looking to return to winning ways when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to strengthen their case for a top-six finish, Swansea City will welcome Premier League-chasing Leeds United to Swansea. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea's hopes of claiming all three points against Leicester City may be tempered by the recent record following international windows. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Lionel Messi continues to break records while in the twilight of his career - but one stat has proved impossible for even him to top. 22 November 2024 talksport.com No list of all-time Premier League goals can be complete without Tony Yeboah's memorable screamer against Liverpool in August 1995. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town midfielder Kalvin Phillips is eligible to return from suspension for the Tractor Boys' Premier League showdown with Manchester United at Portman Road on Sunday. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Comments from Rodri about Vinicius Jr during an interview sparked a feisty response from Neymar on Instagram. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim could be working around a defensive selection crisis for his first Premier League match in charge against Ipswich Town on Sunday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder Rodri has seemingly opened the door to a future move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Premier League clubs are not renowned for their patience when firing managers, and we've already had our first sacking of 2024/25. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Returning to the Roma hotseat for a third spell in charge, Claudio Ranieri will lead the Giallorossi into Sunday's Serie A showdown with Napoli. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has conceded that Ben White is likely to be out for months rather than weeks after undergoing an operation on his knee. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal expert Charles Watts believes that Gunners new boy Mikel Merino has been "unfairly judged" on some of his performances so far in the 2024-25 campaign. 22 November 2024 talksport.com What would you do if you first big break in football came with your fierce rivals? 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of the most unlikely matchups we could have anticipated heading into the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs will transpire on Sunday as Orlando City face Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference semi-finals at Inter & Co Stadium. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Lionel Messi's former Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano is set to be the new head coach of Inter Miami, according to reports. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to kick-start their Premier League campaigns after stalling before the international break, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace convene at Villa Park on Saturday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sean Dyche will look to extend his 100% record over Thomas Frank as Everton manager, when Brentford visit Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fourth meets fifth in Saturday's fascinating Premier League battle at the Emirates, as Arsenal welcome Nottingham Forest to the English capital. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking a fifth win from six Premier League home games against Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth host the Seagulls in Saturday's top-flight affair at the Vitality Stadium.