Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley is off to Brighton & Hove Albion in a £30 million deal, and Chris Sutton has warned the Scottish Premiership club against losing both the Denmark international and Japan international striker Kyogo Furuhashi in a single window, especially with the transfer deadline day approaching.
Manchester City are looking to snap up the Hoops forward as they look for a cover for Erling Braut Haaland, and Celtic are reportedly open to selling him for £20m.
They have signed Republic of Ireland international striker Adam Idah to bolster their attacking ranks, but losing two of their best and most influential players in the attacking third could be too much for them to handle, and Sutton is hoping they do not.
“The prospect of losing Matt O’Riley this summer is a tough one for Celtic fans to stomach,” the Sky Sports pundit told the Daily Record.
“But allowing Kyogo to also head out the door would be absolutely unthinkable right now. Celtic shouldn’t even contemplate the possibility of the striker leaving. They can’t entertain it – at any price. There’s been enough said about O’Riley and people have just about got their heads around his likely departure.
“Kyogo is a different matter. The story this week about Manchester City being interested has got supporters in a panic – and it’s understandable. The notion of Celtic losing two of their best players going into the final week of the transfer window makes my stomach lurch as well.”
The Japanese desires to move to Man City but he is unlikely to submit a transfer request if the Bhoys reject whatever the Premier League heavyweights are offering.
Whether they really can remains to be seen as the chance to sell a 29-year-old player for £20m could be too tempting for them to reject.
Celtic are not necessarily in need of the cash and will also be making millions as a result of their involvement in the Champions League this season.
However, the board could opt to put finances above anything else when it comes to keeping Kyogo or selling him, and the fans should not be shocked if they make that decision next week.
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