New update emerges as Birmingham City push to sign ex-Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi | OneFootball

Are Blues getting closer to landing the prolific Japanese striker?

Birmingham City could be one step closer to landing the services of Japan international striker Kyogo Furuhashi, with reports suggesting that they are now in talks with Stade Rennais over a transfer deal.

Blues are expected to make a major splash in the summer transfer window thanks to their healthy finances, with American financier Tom Wagner and NFL legend Tom Brady at the heart of the club's revitalisation both on and off the pitch.

The Midlands outfit shocked English football with their initial £15 million deal for Fulham forward Jay Stansfield last summer whilst a League One club, and they could be about to add to their attacking unit in the coming weeks with another player who knows how to find the back of the net.

Birmingham City advance in talks for Stade Rennais striker Kyogo Furuhashi

Surprise reports emerged on Thursday night from Japanese outlet Sponichi Annex that Kyogo Furuhashi was "likely" to be heading to Birmingham City this summer, just half a year after his £10 million transfer from Scottish giants Celtic to Rennes of France.

The same report claimed that the 30-year-old striker was "positive" over the prospective move, and a fresh update from French outlet L'Equipe - via GFFN - have said that Blues and Stade Rennais are now in negotiations over a move for Kyogo to St. Andrew's.

Birmingham already have a Japanese contingent among Chris Davies' squad, with midfielder Tomoki Iwata arriving last summer from Celtic - a former team-mate of Kyogo's at Parkhead no less - and dominating in his first season in England, whilst Ayumu Yokoyama is also contracted to City, although following his loan stint at Genk's under-21's in the second half of last season, his immediate short-term future is said to be up in the air.

It may not be so straightforward for Birmingham to land their transfer target though, as L'Equipe have also reported that there is competition for Furuhashi's services from unnamed German clubs, although being in talks with Rennes is a positive sign that a deal could be done.

Kyogo Furuhashi's estimated transfer value as Birmingham City aim to strike deal

In the prime of his career at the age of 30, Furuhashi could add plenty of experience and know-how to Davies' attacking unit if Birmingham manage to get a deal over the line, and it could allow Jay Stansfield to play in an attacking midfield or winger role, where he can get on the ball more and make things happen.

What kind of price Birmingham can get Kyogo for though will be important, given he only moved for an eight-figure fee earlier in 2025.

Transfermarkt have his estimated value down currently at €9 million (£7.7 million), but Rennes may not be willing to make a loss on their investment, although being the age that he is now, the striker will not hold much more resale value going forward.

For a number of years, Kyogo was prolific north of the border with Celtic and also in European competition, so it's easy to see why City are keen to strike a transfer agreement, and they will hope to be not gazumped by the supposed German interest in his services.