The latest transfer news as Celtic make a surprise move for a Birmingham City forward.

Celtic are apparently in negotiations with Birmingham City to re-sign attacker Kyogo Furuhashi, who left the club only a year ago.

The Scottish Premiership giants transferred Kyogo to French club Stade Rennais for about £10 million a year ago, and he joined Birmingham for a similar figure in the summer. Now, after a disappointing six-month run in Ligue 1 and a difficult first half of the season in the Championship, Kyogo could return to Celtic Park.

Kyogo has yet to score in Birmingham’s 23 league matches this season, indicating that things have not gone as planned. But, even so, it’s surprising to see him connected with a departure at this early stage.

Celtic’set’ to sign Birmingham’s star

According to the Scottish Sun, Celtic might reunite with Kyogo as soon as this weekend’s crucial Championship match against Dundee United. Interim head coach Martin O’Neill, who took over the Bhoys after Wilfried Nancy’s brief 33-day reign as manager before being fired, is thought to be desperate to bolster his attack.

Kyogo, despite failing to score in the Championship this season, is regarded as the ideal choice to bolster O’Neill’s alternatives. The Japan international is a Celtic Park fan favourite, having scored 85 goals and created 19 assists in 165 games for the club during his first stay. Kyogo won nine trophies with Celtic during five years.

It remains to be seen how Birmingham feel about letting Kyogo leave, especially because fellow striker Lyndon Dykes has been linked with a move from St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, but it could make sense – at least temporarily.

Kyogo’s situation in the West Midlands is plainly not going well, and his confidence has plummeted. The Japanese finding his mojo could help resuscitate his career, and who knows, maybe he’ll return in the summer reinvigorated and ready to flourish in Birmingham.

Chris Davies lessens the pressure—at least for now.

Birmingham manager Chris Davies has come under fire recently for failing to maintain the momentum from last season’s record-breaking 111-point League One title win. Blues are now seven points behind the Championship top six, having gone seven games without a win.

Davies relieved some of the strain last weekend, when Birmingham defeated league leaders Coventry 3-2 at St Andrew’s. Blues had only 29% possession, but they took their chances, converting all three shots on goal to earn maximum points.

Former Germany international Marvin Ducksch, who signed from Werder Bremen in the summer, scored twice, while Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas scored his first goal for the Blues. Sunday’s win was a fantastic response to Watford’s 3-0 setback on New Year’s Day, but Davies still has a lot of work to do if he wants to save his job in the long run.