The situation surrounding Kyogo Furuhashi’s potential departure from Celtic has taken an intriguing turn, especially following a bizarre mistake by the Official MLS Soccer website. On Wednesday evening, after Celtic’s 2-0 win over Dundee United, where Kyogo replaced Adam Idah in the second half, the online publication prematurely published an article claiming that Atlanta United had acquired Kyogo from Celtic. This article was swiftly deleted, but the damage was done. It sparked a flurry of speculation and raised questions about Kyogo’s future at Celtic Park.

The source of the confusion seems to be rooted in Atlanta United’s interest in Kyogo, which has been rumored for some time. The club, managed by former Celtic boss Ronny Deila, is reportedly considering a £10m transfer move for the Japanese striker. This makes sense given Atlanta’s ongoing pursuit of top-level talent, as they’ve been building a strong squad in recent years. However, the timing of the MLS article and the hasty removal of it suggests that Atlanta may not have had all the details straight, and there could have been a mix-up in their communications. The fact that they had just announced the signing of Cayman Togashi, a forward, could have led to this premature publication, as the article incorrectly stated that Kyogo would be a designated player—something Togashi is not listed as. The nature of this mistake highlights how rumors can sometimes get out of hand, especially when a club like Atlanta is involved in so much transfer speculation.

Kyogo’s switch to CAA Base, a prominent agency, in the summer only intensified the rumors about his potential exit. Such a change in representation is often seen as a sign that a player is preparing for a new challenge, and in Kyogo’s case, it has fueled speculation about his future. The striker has enjoyed an incredibly successful tenure at Celtic, with 54 goals and 10 assists in 86 appearances under Ange Postecoglou, making him one of the most prolific attackers in the club’s recent history. His time under Postecoglou showcased his clinical finishing, off-the-ball movement, and ability to score in high-pressure situations, especially in Celtic’s high-tempo, aggressive attacking style. However, under Brendan Rodgers, the tactical setup has shifted to a more patient, buildup-oriented approach, which, although effective, has perhaps seen Kyogo’s output dip slightly.

Despite scoring 10 goals and providing 3 assists in all competitions this season, Kyogo’s game has been affected by the slower tempo preferred by Rodgers. While he remains one of Celtic’s best players and continues to contribute in key moments, the change in system may have impacted his role and his comfort level on the pitch. The player’s natural instinct is to press high and operate in fast transitions, which was the hallmark of Celtic’s attacking football under Postecoglou. Rodgers’ more controlled buildup play, although effective, has sometimes stifled Kyogo’s instinctive play.

This could be leading to a sense that Kyogo has achieved all he can at Celtic after what has been a highly successful three and a half years at the club. If the rumors of his departure are accurate, it’s clear that the 29-year-old might feel the time is right for a new challenge. Celtic fans, of course, will be hoping that this is not the case and that Kyogo stays with the club at least until the summer. There are still numerous matches left to play across multiple competitions, and Celtic will need his goal-scoring ability and leadership in the months ahead, especially as they pursue both domestic and European ambitions.

If Kyogo does decide to move on, Celtic must be prepared to find a suitable replacement. The striker is still the focal point of Celtic’s attack, and losing him in January or even the summer could leave a significant gap in the squad. Brendan Rodgers will need to act quickly to secure a capable forward, as the club cannot afford to leave a hole in their lineup without proper cover. Celtic’s ability to bring in reinforcements will depend on their ambition to continue challenging for titles, and they will need to ensure that the squad remains competitive in all areas.

For now, though, it appears the MLS article was nothing more than a premature and erroneous leak, possibly driven by the growing interest in Kyogo and the speculation surrounding his future. Celtic supporters should take the news with a pinch of salt, especially given how quickly the article was retracted. With the January transfer window still ahead, there will undoubtedly be more rumors swirling around key players, but unless something official emerges, it’s likely that this was just an unfortunate mistake on the part of MLS.

Celtic will likely hope that this situation is nothing more than a misunderstanding, and that Kyogo will remain at the club, focusing on his performances for the rest of the season. His importance to the team cannot be overstated, and with a potential treble on the line and continued involvement in European competition, keeping Kyogo in Glasgow should be a top priority. However, should he wish to leave, Celtic must ensure they have a plan in place, with a replacement ready to step in and continue the club’s progress. The summer transfer window could bring further developments, but for now, it seems the speculation surrounding Kyogo’s future is far from over.