Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi is expected to exit Birmingham City during the upcoming summer transfer window after an underwhelming first season in the Championship. Sources suggest that both the player and the club are prepared to part ways following his difficulty adapting to English football, with an MLS move now considered a likely destination for the 31-year-old forward.
Furuhashi joined Birmingham City from French club Rennes for a fee reported to be up to £10 million. However, he has scored only three goals in 26 league appearances, struggling to secure a regular spot under manager Chris Davies. His limited impact has seen him drop in the pecking order, and he has started just eight Championship matches this season.
Plans Taking Shape for a Post-Season Transfer
According to Football Insider, Furuhashi’s departure from St. Andrew’s is more probable after the current campaign, rather than during the ongoing season. Rumors have linked him with a return to Celtic, where he previously played, as well as potential moves to clubs in Major League Soccer. His last appearance was a brief nine-minute stint against Stoke City on January 24, before injury troubles sidelined him.
Chris Davies has not dismissed the chance of the striker moving to the MLS, where the transfer window remains open until late March. Still, a summer transfer aligns better with the interests of all involved parties, giving Birmingham and Furuhashi time to plan accordingly.
Birmingham City’s season has been turbulent, with ownership by Knighthead Capital Management aggressively supporting the club’s promotion bid through a January spree that brought in six new players. Despite promising flashes, Furuhashi has not been able to maintain form amidst stiff competition for attacking roles.
Financial Pressures and Performance Concerns Influence Transfer Decisions
Furuhashi earns approximately £40,000 per week, a wage that has become difficult to justify considering his limited contributions on the pitch. Although he showed early promise by scoring against Sheffield United in the EFL Cup, consistent performance has eluded him. Brief bursts of success with two goals in recent matches against Cambridge United and Sheffield Wednesday were quickly overshadowed by injuries and a dip in form.
Birmingham remains in playoff contention despite a recent loss to Millwall that ended an unbeaten streak since New Year’s Day. The club’s push for Premier League promotion adds pressure on Davies to field players who can deliver consistently, further restricting Furuhashi’s chances.
Unless he can reclaim a place in the starting lineup during the final weeks of the season, Furuhashi’s time at Birmingham looks set to conclude. Monday’s key home game against Middlesbrough may represent one of his last opportunities to convince the coaching staff, though his recent absence from action increases doubts about his future at the club.
