Celtic are in talks over exciting Kyogo replacement

Celtic I caught fire Scottish Premier League So far this season they appear to be on track for a fourth straight division title and second under Brendan Rodgers Since his return.

The Hoops recorded a 4-1 win over Ross County away from home on Saturday, with Kyogo Furuhashi scoring twice and Arne Ingles and Luke McCowan scoring twice.

It was this result that initially left them 18 points off the top of the table, before Rangers closed the gap to 15 points on Sunday, and the Bhoi side have a huge advantage to maintain in the second half of the season.

This means the Hoops can focus their efforts on making it as far as possible in the Champions League and on winning the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Cup, potentially fielding stronger lineups in those competitions and rotating players in league matches.

Rodgers will also have his eye on the January transfer window, which opened for business at the start of this month, with the aim of strengthening his squad.

In fact, the Premier League leaders are said to be looking for a potential addition to their options at the top of the pitch ahead of the second half of the season.

Celtic are eyeing an in-form striker

According to the Express newspaperCeltic are eyeing a potential deal to bring Brøndby striker Matthijs Qvistgaarden to Parkhead this month.

The report claims the Hoops have already made contact with the Danish star's camp in January to discuss whether or not a deal would be viable before the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.

He adds that Rodgers is looking to bolster his attacking options and the Superliga star he was It was hailed as “exceptional” And “super consistent” by U23 scout Antonio Mango earlier this season, he appears to have been identified as a potential recruit.

The outlet adds that Celtic have been tracking the young star for the past 18 months and that there are also clubs in England monitoring his situation, meaning they could face some competition for his signature if they decide to go ahead with the move. .

It also reveals, though, that a January deal for Qvistgaarden is only likely if Kyogo Furuhashi exits Parkhead, amid interest from MLS side Atlanta United, with the Dane seemingly being viewed as a replacement for the Japanese international.

As you can see in the table above, the current Celtic striker, who scored twice against Ross County, has been prolific in front of goal in the Premier League this season.

Kyogo has also been fortunate to register three assists in the division, while not creating 'big chances' for his teammates, and this suggests there is potential for the Hoops to improve their squad by signing a more aggressive striker who also offers more creativity.

Why should Celtic sign Matthias Qvistgaarden?

The 22-year-old striker has been in fine form in the Danish Superliga this season and his form suggests he could come in as an upgrade from the Japanese forward at Celtic.

Produced by Kvistgaarden Eight goals and five assists In 18 Superliga starts in the 2023/24 season, he has taken his performance to another level this season.

Denmark national under-21 national team, which He scored against Iceland In his latest international appearance, he is a striker who combines clinical finishing with the creativity of his teammates at centre-forward.

As you can see in the table above, Qvistgaarden has contributed 14 goals in 12 Danish top-flight appearances so far this season, with just six missed big chances to go along with his 10 goals.

These stats show that the Celtic target is a relentless and consistent striker who can also create quality chances for his fellow strikers, something Kyogo has failed to do this season.

The Brøndby star is not the only striker linked with a move to Parkhead, though, and could blossom as part of a double deal for the Hoops this month, alongside Sarpsborg winger Sondre Urjasaiter.

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph It was recently reported that Celtic are in talks with the Norwegian side over a potential deal for the left-winger, who could join to form a partnership with Qvistgaarden if the stars align.

Why could Kvistgaarden and Orjasaeter be an exciting pairing?

Celtic could have an exciting attacking trio and a new look in the second half of the season if all the pieces come together and Kyogo moves on, followed by the entry of Qvistgaarden and Urjaseter.

As previously mentioned, Kyōgo's potential replacement has the potential to be a deadly number nine for the Scottish giants, given his goals to 'big chances' missed ratio in the Superliga this season.

The Brøndby striker could thrive at Parkhead if the team is able to provide him with 'big chances' on a regular basis and that is something Urjasaiter can help with, as he is a creative winger who looks to cut inside from the left flank to provide support. Teammates with scoring chances.

In the Eliteserien 2024 campaign, the Hoops target demonstrated the quality of his creativity and the direct threat he can provide on the left flank, as shown in the table below.

Urjasaeter has created 12 'big chances' in 28 matches for the Norwegian side, while no current Celtic winger or midfielder has created any. More than eight This season.

This suggests that the winger has the qualities required to form a lethal partnership with Qvistgaarden in the final third, as he can consistently create opportunities for the striker to find the back of the net.

Therefore, Rodgers could overhaul his attack and find a new star duo for Celtic by signing both in the January transfer window, or wait until the summer to sign them.