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Kyogo Furuhashi could complete a move from Celtic and make his debut for Rennes against Monaco on Saturday, says the Ligue 1 club's head coach Jorge Sampaoli.
According to reports,, external the Scottish champions have accepted an offer for the 30-year-old, who has been a key player since arriving in Glasgow in July 2021.
Sampaoli was asked about the potential arrival of Kyogo before his side's league match away to Monaco.
"We first hope that the deal will come to fruition," the Argentine, whose words have been translated from Spanish, said in his pre-match press conference., external
"If so, maybe he could play a few minutes [against Monaco].
"We expect a lot from him because he is a player who can help us a lot and, in particular, give us depth."
Sampaoli also confirmed Rennes winger Jota will leave the club, amid more reports , externalabout the Portuguese winger returning to Celtic.
Jota left the club in July 2023 for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League before moving to France in August of last year.
Rennes, who are managed by former Argentina coach Sampaoli, are fifth-bottom of the Ligue 1 table in France with 17 points from 18 games and have scored only 24 league goals this season.
Kyogo arrived at Celtic from Vissel Kobe for an undisclosed fee in July 2021 and has been one of the key players in the club's domestic dominance.
He has won three Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups with the Glasgow club.
His involvement in securing those titles was pivotal, scoring 85 goals in 165 games - including 137 starts - as well as providing 15 assists.
The Japan forward, who is contracted to 2027, has scored 12 goals from 32 games this season as Celtic have opened up a commanding lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League.
He played for 75 minutes of Wednesday's victory against Young Boys that secured Celtic's progress to a Champions League play-off tie.
Kyogo scored his first Celtic goal in his first start against Jablonec in the Europa League in August 2021 and netted a 67-minute hat-trick in his next match - a 6-0 win against Dundee.
His 20-goal tally in his first season included two strikes against Hibernian in the League Cup final at Hampden.
The following campaign he opened the scoring against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the final of the Scottish Cup that sealed the Treble.
He also scored twice to see off Rangers in the Scottish League Cup final earlier that season.
Since his debut in the Premiership he has scored 63 goals, 12 more times than the next highest scorer, Lawrence Shankland, during that period.
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What do you make of Celtic's apparent decision to sell Kyogo?
How big a loss would he be? And how might Brendan Rodgers replace him?
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