Kyogo backed to seal Birmingham City exit - 'he's absolutely adored at Celtic' | OneFootball

Celtic are interested in re-signing former star Kyogo Furuhashi from Birmingham City on loan this January

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Birmingham City forward Kyogo has attracted interest from former club Celtic this January window, with the Japanese international having massively struggled since his summer switch from French outfit Rennes.

Birmingham City have not been shy about splashing the cash in recent windows.

In League One last season, the Blues spent over £30 million in transfer fees on the likes of Jay Stansfield, Christoph Klarer, Willum Willumsson and ten other players.

Unsurprisingly, they fired themselves to promotion, clinching the league title with a record-breaking 111-point season, and following their promotion, they dipped into the market again, albeit not as expensive as last season.

Marvin Ducksch, Taylor Gardner-Hickman, and Alfons Sampsted joined the big arrival of Kyogo Furuhashi in the summer window, with the Blues parting ways with £10 million to bring the former Celtic star to St Andrews from Rennes.

But after just six months at the club, he could once again be on the move, as Celtic are reportedly interested in re-signing the man who made 165 appearances across all competitions for the club.

Kyogo has not directly contributed to a goal in any of his 23 Championship games for Birmingham, and could be in line for an early exit this winter, with his former club offering an escape route.

Birmingham City should be open to allowing Kyogo Furuhashi to rejoin Celtic this January

Football League World's Birmingham fan pundit, Jason, has shared their thoughts on whether they would be happy to part ways with Kyogo this January, with Celtic interested in re-signing the Japanese forward on loan.

Jason said, "I absolutely love Kyogo. He tries, he tries, he tries. He will run his socks off, but there's just been there's been chances this season where I just don't understand how he hasn't scored. I feel like I think I would score. I don't get it."So if there's a deal there with Celtic for a loan, I think I'd do it."Obviously, it depends on the other outgoings. As long as the deal is right for the club, and we don't leave ourselves short, I think I'd probably be happy with it."He's absolutely adored at Celtic. He will score goals in that league because Celtic are attacking 24-7, and the way we play just doesn't seem to suit him."As long as it doesn't leave us short, I think I'd be okay with it because it's just not worked out for him."

Chris Davies has not got the best out of Kyogo Furuhashi in a Birmingham City shirt since his £10 million move from Rennes in the summer

Indeed, it hasn't been the return to the Championship that many Birmingham fans would have been hoping for, and whilst they are certainly in a much better shape since they were last in the second tier, they have fallen some way short of pre-season expectations.

A 111-point haul last campaign and another strong summer had many tipping the Blues to secure back-to-back promotions, just as Ipswich did in years prior, but it has yet to pan out that way, and looks increasingly unlikely to do so.

Football League World exclusively revealed earlier in the week that Birmingham are likely to sanction more departures over the course of the January window, with Eiran Cashin's loan from Brighton and Hove Albion having already been terminated, as Lyndon Dykes, Sampsted and Willumsson all look set to leave the club this month, Kyogo could also fall into that bracket.

The Japanese forward has fallen well short of expectations since his arrival, and is probably the biggest disappointment out of the lot, making just seven league starts and ultimately failing to adapt to the Championship.

A loan return to Celtic until the end of the season may be the best option for all parties, especially if Birmingham can source a replacement in that role, so that they are not left short, as Kyogo will be provided the platform to find his feet once more in a team where he has proven he can thrive in

Whether Birmingham will be open to such a deal for a player they spent £10 million less than half a year ago remains to be seen, but it is a transfer saga to certainly keep an eye on.