Rennes boss breaks silence on Kyogo and Jota transfers and reveals Celtic star’s already lined up for dramatic debut

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KYOGO FURUHASHI looks set to leave Celtic for Ligue 1 side Rennes this month.

And the French side’s coach has already been talking up the prospect of throwing the Japan international into his team.

Kyogo Furuhashi in Celtic jersey. — Kyogo Furuhashi looks set to leave Celtic for French side Rennes

Soccer player Joao Pedro Neves Filipe dribbling the ball. — Former Hoops ace Jota could be heading the other way in a sensational return to Parkhead

Jorge Sampaoli, coach of Stade Rennais, looking down. — Rennes boss Jorge Sampaoli has talked up the chances of Kyogo joining and making his debut sooner rather than later

Rennes have made Kyogo their top target and are now hopeful of sealing a deal worth around £10million for the striker.

And their coach Jorge Sampaoli says he hopes the 30-year-old could make his debut as soon as THIS weekend.

He said: “We hope first of all that the deal is finalised today.

“If that is the case, he could perhaps play a few minutes [in Monaco].

“We expect a lot from him because he is a player who can help us a lot, and in particular bring us depth.”

And the Argentine coach also gave an update on the transfer of former Celts ace Jota, who has been linked with a move back to Parkhead.

He continued: “With the departures of Jota and others, we are considering the arrival of a winger, who would bring us more variance in our game.”

Jota has made just ten appearances since signing for Rennes from another disappointing spell, in the Saudi Pro League with Al Ittihad.

The Portuguese winger left for Saudi Arabia in a £25million deal in summer 2023, having been a key part of Ange Postecoglu’s two title-winning teams at Parkhead.

SunSport told earlier that initial discussions have taken place over the 25-year-old’s return, but there’s still work to do to get the deal done.

[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Celtic fans have short memories when it comes to Greg Taylor and Kieran Tierney’s return says Kris Boyd ” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366744117112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]

Brendan Rodgers is also understood to be closing in on a pre-contract agreement with another ex-Hoops star, Kieran Tierney.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page