Atlanta United are preparing to admit defeat in their quest to sign Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi.
Mail Sport revealed the long-standing interest of the American outfit in the striker last month.
With two designated player slots vacant ahead of the kick-off of a new MLS season next month, the ambitious outfit are in the market for a marquee centre forward.
Willing to pay around £10million to land the Japanese talisman in the summer window, Atlanta remain interested in signing Kyogo.
On Sunday, however, reports appeared in the American media claiming that the interest had ‘cooled’.
The reason for that is that Kyogo is less keen to commit to Atlanta United than Atlanta United are to commit to him.
Rodgers says Celtic must be prepared to say goodbye to any player that wants to leave
Kyogo might still quit Celtic after Euro games despite Atlanta admitting defeat in their pursuit
Kyogo keeps a low profile during training at Lennoxtown this week
Turning 30 on January 25 the Parkhead talisman changed agents last year and, despite being under contract until 2027, feels ready for one last big contract after lifting every domestic trophy in Scotland.
Despite the appointment of former Celtic boss Ronny Deila as Atlanta’s new coach, however, the striker is keen to explore all of his options before deciding whether to stay or go. And the club nicknamed ‘The Five Stripes’ are now exploring alternatives, turning their attentions to former Celtic forward Odsonne Edouard and Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath.
Kyogo could still leave Celtic after the Champions League games against Young Boys and Aston Villa if an offer appears which suits all parties before end of the window
‘With all these what-if scenarios, you have to be [prepared],’ said Brendan Rodgers on Monday.
‘I think the biggest thing is if a player doesn’t want to be here, then go. And then if it’s at that point, 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. For us, it’s all eventualities. For Kyogo at this moment in time, he’s happy. He’s working well, he’s scoring goals and enjoying his football.’
Barry could solve problems on left wing … but he’s a man in demand
Celtic are keen to land Aston Villa’s Louie Barry after the winger was recalled from a productive loan spell at Stockport County by his parent club.
The 21-year-old, who can play on the left flank or through the middle, scored 16 times in 24 appearances in the first half of the season for the English League One side.
Parkhead side would be keen on a loan deal for Aston Villa winger Louie Barry
Barry has had a productive spell on loan from Villa to Stockport County
Villa manager Unai Emery, who’s agreed a deal to sign Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund for £21million, intends running the rule over Barry this month.
Rodgers is keen on a loan deal but that may prove difficult as Villa are already close to their full quota of foreign loans under Premier League rules.
Middlesbrough and Leeds are also in the running for a player who has represented both England and the Republic of Ireland at youth international level.
Why Rodgers isn’t ready to give up on Yang just yet
Given his lack of first-team football, it felt like Yang Hjun-jun had become pretty much a lost cause at Celtic.
Most supporters expected to see him depart the club at some point this season, whether it was back in the summer or during this January transfer window.
But it now seems like Brendan Rodgers could be ready to throw him a lifeline, with Yang starting recent matches against Dundee United and Ross County.
The Celtic boss isn’t giving up on the Korean winger just yet and, at 22 years old, still feels like Yang could develop into a player who warrants more regular first-team football.
Yang in action for Celtic in the 4-1 win over Ross County last Sunday
Speaking earlier this week, Rodgers was asked about coaching Yang and trying to help him take his game to a new level.
‘Well, that’s just time and patience and to get anywhere as a player and that mentality also,’ said Rodgers.
‘We always work and give our best to all the players. It’s just what their talent is and how that accelerates going forward.
‘But he’s a young guy who’s adapted so well to coming over from Korea and speaking English now, translating with the players. It’s a huge testament to him. He’s a really, really good kid.
‘As I said, we have to look at it. But at this moment in time, with players out, he’s coming in and working very hard.’
Holm’s prospects of a return are as distant as a galaxy far, far away
There was a time – many moons ago – when you’d have done well to go for a quiet afternoon pint or pop into your local bookmakers without bumping into a professional footballer.
Alas, those pesky sports science bods and the rules preventing players from gambling have put an end to all of that.
So, what do the players of today do once they have left the training ground?
Some seemingly try their hands at cooking. Others just immerse themselves in the latest Netflix box set.
Odin Thiago Holm’s idea of peaceful relaxation, though, is to build Lego. But not just any Lego. Star Wars Lego. And lots of it.
Before putting the finishing touches to his loan move to Los Angeles FC this week, Celtic’s Norwegian midfielder showed off his vast collection of completed pieces on Instagram.
Worth an estimated £5,000 and filling several shelves in his Glasgow apartment, it’s to be hoped Holm doesn’t intend lugging the whole lot over to his temporary home in California.
Star Wars Lego fan Holm may have quite a job to piece his Celtic career back together
If only he’d been as adept at piecing together moves on the field as he cleverly is at joining little pieces of plastic.
He caught the eye when he first came in from Valerenga in 2023, but has never enjoyed a prolonged run in the side under Brendan Rodgers.
He played just nine times in his first season – his most notable contribution being the night he was sent off against Feyenoord.
Was not named in this year’s Champions League squad and hasn’t made any match-day squad since the League Cup game against Falkirk on September 22. The last of his three appearances came back on August 25 at St Mirren.
It’s not inconceivable that he could yet return to his parent club at the end of the year and make an impact second time around.
Right now, though, that prospect feels as distant as a galaxy which is far, far away.
Celtic women hope break provides a ray of sunshine in league campaign
At their winter training camp in Gran Canaria, Celtic’s women recharged the batteries, played a friendly against a Spanish side and took the opportunity to make a few tactical changes to their approach.
With a new formation, they made a successful return to competitive action at New Douglas Park on Sunday, recording a 4-2 victory against Partick Thistle that keeps them in the hunt to retain their Premier League title.
It wasn’t their most ruthless performance. Saoirse Noonan’s opener was cancelled out by Thistle’s Carla Boyce, and they were frustrated by their opponents for much of the second half.
Celtic women had a tough time in Champions League against teams like Chelsea
Maria McAneny reckons they have recharged batteries after sunshine break
But Noonan eventually doubled her tally with 15 minutes left, before substitutes Kelly Clark and Maria McAneny ensured that Demi Falconer’s late goal was only a consolation.
McAneny believes that, while they had to be patient against Thistle, the work done during the winter break will soon pay off.
‘Coming back from a break, it takes some time to gel, especially getting used to different patterns of play and stuff,’ said the midfielder.
‘But all the girls are more than capable of doing that. The more minutes and games we get, and the more we do it in training, then it will just become second nature to us.’
Now that they are out of the Champions League, Celtic can concentrate on their domestic commitments. While they are nine points behind leaders Glasgow City, they aim to take full advantage of two games in hand.
Next up is a league game at home to Aberdeen on Wednesday night. Then comes their Sky Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers on Sunday. It is a demanding start to the new year for Elena Sadiku’s side.
