Rennes are in advanced talks to sign Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi for around £10m.
Sky Sports News understands an offer is on the table, with the possibility of Jota returning to Glasgow also being discussed separately.
Kyogo has been a key player for the Hoops since arriving in Scotland in the summer of 2021 under Ange Postecoglou.
Jota could return to Celtic after his 2023 exit
However, his form for Celtic has not always been recognised by Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu, who has previously criticised the Scottish league.
It’s believed Kyogo would welcome the chance to join a club in one of Europe’s top five leagues, despite Celtic’s progression to the Champions League knockouts.
The 30-year-old, who had three goals disallowed against Young Boys on Wednesday night, has netted 85 times for the Hoops in all competitions.
Kyogo had three goals disallowed as Celtic secured Champions League progression
Sky Sports News understands Celtic would be open to a return for winger Jota, who has been frozen out at Rennes following his move in the summer from Al-Ittihad. The Hoops are exploring the possibility of a deal for Jota, separately.
Jota left Celtic for Al-Ittihad in 2023 for a then-record fee of £25m.
‘If a player doesn’t want to be here, then go’
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Kyogo took is goal tally to 85 with a double at Ross County.
Brendan Rodgers admitted last week he will not stand in anyone’s way if their heart is set on leaving Celtic:
“I think the biggest thing is if a player doesn’t want to be here, then go, and then it’s at that point, then the club has to get the best possible deal. So I don’t ever see the point of keeping someone who doesn’t want to be here.
“But I think for us, it’s all eventualities. That’s what we prepare for, whether it’s injuries, whether it’s transfers. You always have to be ready and that’s our message.
“But for him [Kyogo] at this moment in time, he’s happy, he’s working well, he’s scoring goals and enjoying his football.
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Kris Boyd and Chris Sutton heaped praise on Celtic’s Kyogo after an impressive performance against Ross County with the forward scoring twice.
“People always look into something – ‘he didn’t celebrate enough or he didn’t do this or he didn’t do that’.
“I see him every day, I see his work, I see his intensity. And maybe he scores so much that he doesn’t really have to celebrate madly all the time. Or maybe it was too cold. But he’s just the same guy.
“But there’s always speculation and we’re not scared of the speculation and the gossip. So there’ll always be wee bits and pieces around him.”
