Last week was a strange one in the world of Celtic transfer news with the way that the speculation around Kyogo Furuhashi’s possible return unfolded.
It was first reported that the Hoops were in talks with Birmingham City over a potential deal to bring the Japan international back to Parkhead on loan for the rest of the season.
Days later, though, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill revealed that a move for Kyogo in the January transfer window was unlikely because he wants to make a success of his time in England.
This means that the Scottish Premiership giants will need to look elsewhere if they want to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch before the end of the window.
Celtic make offer to sign Ligue 1 striker
The Hoops appear to have swiftly moved on from any interest they may or may not have had in Kyogo, as they are reportedly keen on a striker from France.
According to Ouest France, Celtic are interested in a deal to bring Lorient centre-forward Mohamed Bamba to Parkhead in the January transfer window.
The report claims that the Scottish giants have submitted an offer to sign the Ivorian number nine on loan until the end of the season, as he looks for regular game time in the second half of the campaign.
This information is backed up by The Scottish Sun, which reports that the two clubs are now locked in deals over a possible move to Glasgow for the striker.
The Hoops are looking to conclude a deal to bring the 24-year-old marksman on a short-term deal, given their offer and current talks, and he could be an even better signing than Kyogo would have been.
Why Mohamed Bamba is better than Kyogo Furuhashi
Whilst Kyogo’s first spell with Celtic, as shown in the graphic below, suggests that he would have been a great addition to the squad, it is worth taking his last 12 months into account.
His goal against English fourth division side Cambridge United at the weekend was only his second goal in 32 matches since leaving Celtic to sign for Rennes for £10m last January, per Sofascore.
Kyogo failed to score in six Ligue 1 matches for Rennes and has failed to score in 23 Championship games for Birmingham, with both of his goals for the Blues coming in the cup competitions.
Bamba, meanwhile, has scored three goals in 16 appearances in all competitions this season, with one goal in Ligue 1, after a return of three goals and six assists in 18 Ligue 2 matches last term, per Sofascore.
The Ivorian striker was hailed for his “incredible” start to life in France by talent scout Jacek Kulig after a return of eight goals and three assists in 16 outings in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.
Mohamed Bamba’s last 2 appearances
Stats
Vs Gosier
Vs Metz
Minutes
75
30
Shots on target
2
1
Goals
2
0
Key passes
2
1
Assists
0
1
Dribbles completed
2/2
1/1
As you can see in the table above, the 24-year-old star has been impressive in his last two outings for Lorient, with two goals in the cup against Gosier and an assist off the bench against Metz in Ligue 1.
This means that Bamba, who was described as a “great talent” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, could arrive at Parkhead with some positive momentum behind him, with three goals and assists in his last two games. That could help him to hit the ground running.
He may not have a 34-goal season under his belt in his career, as Kyogo does, but he has shown that he can provide quality in the French top-flight, with nine goals and five assists in 21 starts in the competition.
The Japan international, however, failed to deliver a single goal or assist in six games for Rennes in Ligue 1, per Sofascore, before they decided to part ways with him last summer, just months after splashing out £10m to sign the striker from Celtic.
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Therefore, Bamba could be an even better signing and player than Kyogo would have been for the Hoops this month, because he has shown more quality in a league than the Japanese flop struggled badly in.