Esteemed Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi was linked online with a move to reigning English Premier League champions Manchester City on Wednesday morning.

Discussed by Fabrizio Romano on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the renowned transfer guru tipped his hat to Hugh Murray and The Athletic's Sam Lee for uncovering the link in the process.

According to Romano, City are keen to bring midfielder Ilkay Gundogan back to the club from Barcelona before solidifying plans thereafter – but one of Pep Guardialo's right-hand men could have a crucial part to play in this process: Juan Manuel Lillo.

Juanma Lillo: The Man City Man with a Huge Role in Kyogo Transfer Link

Who is Juan Manuel Lillo? Read on for our rundown of Juanma Lillo: the Man City  man with a huge role in Kyogo transfer link. 

Juan Manuel Lillo, otherwise known as Juanma Lillo, is a 58-year-old Spanish manager who is currently one of Pep Guardiola's assistants at Manchester City

Beginning his career at now second tier side CD Mirandes in 1988, Lillo moved around multiple jobs in Spain including stints at some of their most historic clubs, such as Real Oviedo and Real Sociedad.

Following a brief stint in Columbia and being assistant manager of the Chilean national team, he joined Vissel Kobe of Japan in October 2018.

When Juanma Lillo joined Vissel Kobe, he linked up with then newly signed 23-year-old forward, Kyogo Furuhashi.

Under Lillo in his six months as manager, Kyogo made 13 appearances and scored five and assisted five which is a brilliant return and showed the quality we see now at Celtic.

Lillo then went on to join Manchester City as assistant manager to Pep Guardiola in 2020, who he has worked with for nearly 200 games.

Celtic are unlikely to welcome interest for the Japanese striker who's played such an important role in the club's recent successes since signing at Parkhead in the summer of 2021.

From Manchester City's perspective, following the sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid this summer for £82 million, the Etihad side have been in the market for a back up striker. The above reports have suggested that Kyogo is one of their top two targets, with a second player as yet unnamed.

Kyogo's Success Under Lillo

The relationship between Lillo and Kyogo, forged during their time in Japan, could be the catalyst for a move. Lillo's understanding of Kyogo's strengths and capabilities, as well as his influence on Guardiola, makes him a key player in this potential transfer saga.

With his experience and knowledge of the player, Lillo can provide valuable insight into Kyogo's suitability for Manchester City. He could potentially advocate for Kyogo's signing, highlighting his attributes and the potential impact he could have on the squad.

The Next Step

Whether the transfer eventually materializes remains to be seen. Celtic are likely to hold out for a significant transfer fee for Kyogo, who remains a vital player for them. Manchester City, meanwhile, will need to decide if Kyogo is the right fit for their squad and if they are willing to meet Celtic's demands.

But one thing is certain: Lillo's presence at Manchester City adds an intriguing dimension to the situation, potentially making him a key figure in determining Kyogo's future.