Celtic have been proactive early in the summer transfer window as they aim to strengthen their squad for the 2025/26 season. The club has already secured free transfers for Kieran Tierney and Ross Doohan, with Tierney set to return to Parkhead after his 2019 departure to Arsenal.
The Hoops are also finalizing a five-year deal for FC Nordsjælland winger Benjamin Nygren. But manager Brendan Rodgers is still pushing for a top-level striker to fill the void left by Kyogo Furuhashi, who was sold to Rennes in January for a reported £10 million.
Kyogo proved a massive success for Celtic after his £4.3m move from Vissel Kobe in 2021, scoring 85 goals and providing 19 assists across 185 appearances. His standout 2022/23 campaign included 34 goals, and he delivered consistently in big games, notably netting eight times in 17 matches against Rangers.
Despite his impact, Celtic didn’t sign a direct replacement during the January window. Now, however, they are reportedly confident of landing Brighton & Hove Albion’s Evan Ferguson on a season-long loan. According to Football Insider, Celtic are optimistic about beating out Premier League sides Everton and Nottingham Forest to secure the Irish forward.
Former scout Mick Brown believes Celtic offers an enticing platform for young talents like Ferguson, highlighting the club’s Champions League participation and domestic trophy pursuits as key selling points.
Although Ferguson had a quiet 2024/25 season with just one goal in 23 appearances for Brighton and West Ham combined largely due to an early-season knee injury his earlier form points to significant promise. Across his Premier League career, he has outperformed his expected goals (xG), signaling clinical finishing ability. Veteran James Milner has even described his finishing as “phenomenal.”
Ferguson could offer more than just goals. His physical presence, shown by a 44% aerial duel success rate in 2023/24, gives him an edge over Kyogo, who managed just 33% this past season and 26% the year before. That added physicality could make Ferguson a more reliable target man in Rodgers’ system.
Though his current market value sits at around £21 million per Transfermarkt, a loan deal could be the ideal way for Celtic to secure a forward who could not only replace but potentially upgrade on Kyogo Furuhashi’s legacy at the club.
