The 2021/2022 season is the only campaign at Manchester City in recent years where they had only one recognised striker on their books in Gabriel Jesus; a situation they have found themselves again since Julian Alvarez’s exit.
Micah Richards predicted Erling Haaland to fire City to the Premier League title if he stays fit throughout the 2024/2025 season.
But judging by the £375,000-a-week man’s fitness record in his two seasons at the Etihad Stadium, he is prone to picking an injury here and there.
The Athletic have reported that Manchester City are on the lookout for a brand-new striker to replace Alvarez.
Last season’s second and third-placed teams in the Premier League in Arsenal and Liverpool respectively also have two marksmen within their ranks.
Arne Slot has Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez to pick from while Mikel Arteta has both Jesus and Darwin Nunez at his disposal.
Rodgers gave glowing verdict last year about Man City target Kyogo Furuhashi
However, Manchester City do not match up to Arsenal and Liverpool in terms of the depth in the striking department at their disposal.
Even Tottenham Hotspur have both Dominic Solanke and Son Heung-min on their books and Manchester United have added Joshua Zirkzee to their strike force after signing Rasmus Hojlund last summer.
But on Wednesday, it was reported that City are interested in signing Kyogo Furuhashi — with the player believed to be keen on a move to Pep Guardiola’s side.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, who has worked closely with Furuhashi sang his praises in August last year as he gave an insight into the Japanese striker’s style of play.
Rodgers told BBC Sport: “He is an elite striker, to be fair. His movement, everything about him, he’s so alert. He’s really clever, plays that offside position well and if you make a mistake, he can punish you.”
- Who is Kyogo Furuhashi? All you need to know about the Celtic goal machine linked with a Man City transfer
Kyogo Furuhashi would offer a different dynamic to Erling Haaland at Man City
If Manchester City were to seal the deal to sign the 29-year-old, it is fair to assume that he would offer a different dynamic to Haaland.
Unlike the Norwegian, who is extremely tall and strong, Furuhashi is a diminutive striker who utilises his low centre of gravity to weave past defenders.
The former Vissel Kove marksman is proficient at beating players, incredible technically gifted and capable of picking up the ball in deeper areas between the lines and out wide.
Furuhashi is far more comfortable being handed possession of the ball across the pitch than Haaland, who would be classed more as a penalty-box expert.
Perhaps the Ikoma-born forward has attracted Manchester City’s attention due to having a much more different profile to their star striker.
