A deal to bring Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi to Manchester City is not completely dead in the water, according to a report.
The Japan international emerged as a surprise target for the Premier League champions during the summer transfer window, where Julian Alvarez unexpectedly jumped ship for Atletico Madrid.
After spending two years playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland, Alvarez sought regular first-team football under compatriot Diego Simeone, leaving Man City extremely light in the striker's department.
Having failed to sign a backup for Haaland in the summer window, the Norway international is now the only recognised number nine in City's ranks, although a few players can fill in as an emergency solution.
According to Football Insider, Man City might address their lack of a second striker during the January transfer window, and Furuhashi is still on the shortlist of possible options.
Furuhashi age 'could scupper' Man City move
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The former Vissel Kobe man was brought to Scotland by Ange Postecoglou in 2021 and has had a direct hand in 90 goals in 138 games for the Bhoys in all tournaments, 74 of his own and 16 assists.
Furuhashi has one goal and one assist to show from five games in the 2024-25 campaign, helping Brendan Rodgers's side make a perfect start to their title defence, and his contract still has three years left to run.
The 29-year-old was supposedly contacted by Man City over the summer, as his 'movement' and ruthlessness in front of goal had caught the eye of staff, but the Premier League champions are in no rush to add to their squad in January.
Guardiola is said to be satisfied with the attacking options he has at his disposal, and the report also claims that Furuhashi's age could put a transfer in jeopardy, as the Japan international turns 30 in January.
However, City could still make a move for the Celtic man if the opportunity presents itself, although he should not expect a four or five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Who else can play up front for City?
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Even though Haaland is the only out-and-out number nine in the senior squad, Guardiola has a handful of versatile players at his disposal who can play as a false nine, including Kevin De Bruyne.
The 33-year-old often led the line in the latter stages of the 2020-21 Champions League season, starting both legs of the semi-final and the final against Chelsea as the focal point of City's attack.
Bernardo Silva is no stranger to a centre-forward's role either, and nor is Phil Foden, who scored seven goals in 14 games through the middle during the 2021-22 Premier League campaign.
Any of Foden, Silva or De Bruyne could have been forced to fill in up front against Brentford at the weekend, as Haaland was offered compassionate leave following the death of a close family friend.
However, the 24-year-old opted to play and broke another record with his brace in a 2-1 win, putting him up to nine goals for the season as City made it four wins from four in 2024-25.
Ben Knapton
![Manchester City forward Erling Haaland (9) during warmups before the FC Series match between Manchester City and Celtic at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, July 23, 2024 [on July 25, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/11/29/1x1.gif?w=1&h=1 "Manchester City forward Erling Haaland (9) during warmups before the FC Series match between Manchester City and Celtic at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, July 23, 2024 [on July 25, 2024]")
