Kyogo, Birmingham City exit update emerges - move makes sense for all parties | OneFootball

The Japanese forward could still leave St. Andrew's less than 12 months after signing for Blues

Birmingham City's recent upturn in fortunes has got supporters at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park dreaming of back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.

After initially finding it tough in the first half of the Championship season, Chris Davies has certainly rekindled a winning formula with his reshaped Blues squad that has allowed them to become one of the division's most in-form sides across the first two months of 2026.

Following a disastrous performance and 3-0 defeat against Watford at Vicarage Road on New Year's Day, the Second City outfit found themselves languishing in 17th with 21 matches of the league campaign still to play, and they were, strictly speaking, closer to the relegation zone than the play-off places at that particular moment.

However, Tom Ince's hat-trick that afternoon represents the only defeat which Birmingham have suffered in their past 11 league encounters - a run which stretches back to the 1-1 draw with Derby County at St. Andrew's on Boxing Day.

As well as tinkering with his team selection and style of play, another busy transfer window in B9 has meant that Blues are a lot tougher to beat these days - particularly on their travels - as well as becoming much more efficient in front of goal.

The additions of Ibrahim Osman, Carlos Vicente and August Priske, coupled with Demarai Gray's return from a calf issue, have certainly helped the club's cause.

However, there is still a glaringly obvious elephant in the room at St. Andrew's amid the aforementioned upsurge, and it is that Kyogo Furuhashi's big-money summer switch continues to be scrutinised, and his time with the club could, once again, potentially be coming to an end.

Chris Davies admission hints at potential Kyogo Furuhashi exit amid failed £10m Birmingham City switch

Ever since Davies took charge of Blues in June 2024, the 40-year-old has overseen plenty of transfer dealings that have previous links with the Scottish game, having previously worked as assistant to Brendan Rodgers at Celtic and with ex-Hoops boss, Ange Postecoglou, at Tottenham Hotspur.

After several of those were made throughout the West Midlands side's record-breaking season in League One, the ambitious club sent shockwaves through the Championship transfer market when they became linked with a swoop for Kyogo just weeks into the summer.

Indeed, the 23-time international was a hotshot during his Parkhead days, scoring a remarkable tally of 85 goals in just 165 appearances, before leaving to join Stade Rennais 13 months ago.

However, after the Japanese striker failed to adjust to life at Roahzon Park, the same can certainly be said for his time at St. Andrew's after Blues agreed a deal worth up to £10m to pin the striker down to a three-year contract.

The 31-year-old did manage to score twice in January against Cambridge United and Sheffield Wednesday amid departure links to Celtic and Swansea City, but they were also his only strikes since opening his account in the EFL Cup against Sheffield United on August 13th.

Yet again, Furuhashi has become the subject of talk linking him with a departure to the MLS, with the division's transfer window still open until March 26th, whilst he missed the recent encounters against Leeds United and Norwich City through injury.

“There’s been talk of that,” said Davies.

“From my point of view, this is our squad and this is how it stays.

“If something there comes up that has to be looked at then obviously we will respect the player and everything else, as we do in open transfer window time," he added.

Even prior to his recent injury omission, the arrival of Priske sent Kyogo down to fourth-choice in Davies' pecking order behind the likes of Jay Stansfield and Marvin Ducksch.

At this point, it remains to be seen how much money the club would be able to recoup for the experienced forward given his distinct lack of goals in the past 13 months.

However, with the MLS offering a new environment and, perhaps, less intensity than the Championship, there is every chance that Kyogo could benefit from a trans-Atlantic move in the final years of his career.