Celtic made the difficult decision to finally part ways with Japan international Kyogo Furuhashi in the January transfer window, as he completed a move to Ligue 1 side Rennes.
The experienced striker, who scored his last two goals for the club in a win over Ross County in January, was reportedly sold to the French outfit for a fee of £10m.
Kyogo scored 85 goals in 165 matches in all competitions for the Scottish giants during his three-and-a-half years at Parkhead, which illustrates how impactful he was for the Hoops.
Brendan Rodgers admitted that the plan was for Celtic to dip into the market to sign a replacement for the Japanese marksman before the end of the January transfer window, but the club were unable to get a new number nine in to bolster the squad.
Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda have shared the centre-forward duties during the second half of the season, whilst youngster Johnny Kenny has also stepped in at times, but the Hoops could look for a permanent replacement for Kyogo in the summer transfer window.
With this in mind, here are three strikers Celtic could target to finally replace the Japan international ahead of the 2025/26 campaign…
1 Mathias Kvistgaarden
Potentially the most obvious target for the Scottish Premiership champions is Danish forward Mathias Kvistgaarden, who currently plays for Brondby in his home country.
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The 23-year-old marksman has already been linked with a move to Parkhead in the summer, and it was reported that the club were in talks over a deal to sign him in January, before they failed to get a transfer over the line.
Ultimately, Kvistgaarden remained at Brondby after that interest from Celtic at the start of the year, but they are now looking to snap him up this summer and it could be an excellent piece of business to finally replace Kyogo.
Appearances
28
Goals
17
Conversion rate
22%
Right-footed goals
7
Left-footed goals
6
Headed goals
3
Big chances created
4
Assists
4
As you can see in the table above, the Denmark youth international has been in impressive form in the Superliga for Brondby this season, with 21 goals and assists combined in 28 appearances in the division.
Seven goals with his right foot, six with his left foot, and three with his head also suggests that he is a complete striker who can score in a variety of ways, rather than being limited to his strong foot and only on the floor.
Kvistgaarden, however, is not the only centre-forward who could be a replacement for Kyogo for the Scottish this summer, as there is a former Hoops star who has opened the door to a return to Parkhead.
2 Giorgos Giakoumakis
Speaking to the Daily Record earlier this month, Giorgos Giakoumakis revealed that he would “love” to play for Celtic again at some point in his career, having left the club in February 2023 to sign for Atlanta United.
Currently playing for Cruz Azul in Mexico, it remains to be seen whether or not a return to Glasgow is realistic for the Greek international, but he could be a good option for the Hoops.
If Maeda and Idah continue to be the main starters in the number nine position for Celtic, it could make sense for the club to sign a player who can thrive off the bench, which is why Giakoumakis could be ideal.
Appearances
21
19
Starts
11
4
Goals
13
6
Minutes per goal
81
114
Assists
1
1
As you can see in the table above, the Greek star had an incredible minute-to-goal ratio in his two seasons in the Premiership with Celtic, which shows that he can provide a big goal threat without starting matches on a regular basis.
Of course, there is nothing at this moment in time to suggest that Celtic are interested in a deal to bring Giakoumakis back to the club, though, despite him appearing to be a good option to replace Kyogo on paper.
3 Jamie Vardy
Finally, veteran centre-forward Jamie Vardy could be an interesting striker for the club to swoop for to finally replace Kyogo, after it was confirmed that he will be a free agent this summer.
Former Scotland international Paul Dickov suggested that a move to Parkhead could make sense, saying: “Maybe the obvious link-up is with Brendan at Celtic after his time at Leicester with Jamie. I still think he’s got a lot to offer.”
Only Scott Sinclair (95) has scored more goals under Rodgers than Vardy (70) in his managerial career, which shows how effective the English forward was under the Celtic boss during their time together at the King Power.
The former England international, who scored 145 goals in the Premier League for the Foxes, could follow in Kasper Schmeichel’s footsteps, after the Dane decided to link up with Rodgers again last summer.
As a free agent, the 38-year-old star, who was described as a “living legend” by manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy, could come in as a low-risk option and as a player who can still make a big impact at the top level, despite his age.
Appearances
35
Goals
9
Conversion rate
16%
Big chances created
6
Assists
4
As you can see in the table above, Vardy contributed to 13 goals in the Premier League despite his side getting relegated from the division, and he was the only player over the age of 34 to score a goal in the top-flight.
To score goals consistently at that age, whilst no one within three years of his age even scored a goal in the league, speaks to both his longevity and his quality, which is why the forward could be an excellent option to replace Kyogo.
He still has the quality to perform at the top level, as evidenced by his form this season, and Rodgers is a manager who already knows how to get the best out of him, as shown by the striker’s goal return under him at Leicester.
Therefore, signing Vardy on a free transfer could be a shrewd move by Celtic to finally replace Kyogo as another quick striker who likes to make runs in behind, which is why Rodgers should consider repeating his Schmeichel masterclass with another reunion this summer.
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