Atlanta United are preparing to admit defeat in their quest to sign Kyogo Furuhashi from Celtic.
Mail Sport revealed the US team's long-standing interest in the striker last month.
With two designated player spots vacant before the start of a new MLS season next month, the ambitious team is searching for a standout center forward.
Willing to pay around £10m to land the Japanese talisman in the summer window, Atlanta remain interested in signing Kyogo.
However, on Sunday reports appeared in the US media claiming that interest had “cooled”.
The reason for this is that Kyogo is less interested in committing to Atlanta United than Atlanta United is to him.
Rodgers says Celtic must be prepared to say goodbye to any player who wants to leave
Kyogo could still leave Celtic after the Euro matches despite Atlanta admitting defeat in his pursuit.
Kyogo keeps a low profile during training at Lennoxtown this week
The Parkhead talisman, who turned 30 on January 25, changed agents last year and, despite being under contract until 2027, feels ready for one last big contract after lifting every domestic trophie in Scotland.
However, despite the appointment of former Celtic manager Ronny Deila as Atlanta's new manager, the striker is willing to explore all his options before deciding whether to stay or go. And the club nicknamed 'The Five Stripes' are now exploring alternatives, turning their attention to former Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard and Middlesbrough's Emmanuel Latte Lath.
Kyogo could still leave Celtic after the Champions League games against Young Boys and Aston Villa if an offer that suits all parties appears before the end of the window.
“With all these hypothetical scenarios, you have to be (prepared),” Brendan Rodgers said Monday.
“I think the most important thing is that if a player doesn't want to be here, then he leaves. And then, if that time comes, the club has to get the best deal possible.
'So I never see the point in keeping someone who doesn't want to be here. For us, everything is eventualities. For Kyogo right now, he is happy. “He is working well, scoring goals and enjoying football.”
Barry could solve problems on the left wing… but he is a very sought-after man
Celtic are keen to sign Louie Barry from Aston Villa after his parent club recalled the winger from a productive loan spell at Stockport County.
The 21-year-old, who can play on the left wing or in the centre, scored 16 goals in 24 games in the first half of the season for the English League One team.
The Parkhead team would be interested in a loan for Aston Villa winger Louie Barry
Barry has had a productive spell on loan from Villa to Stockport County
Villa manager Unai Emery, who agreed a deal to sign Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund for £21m, intends to rein in Barry this month.
Rodgers is interested in a loan deal but that may prove difficult as Villa are already close to their full quota of foreign loans under Premier League rules.
Middlesbrough and Leeds are also competing for a player who has represented both England and the Republic of Ireland at youth international level.
Why Rodgers isn't willing to give up on Yang still
Given his lack of first-team football, it seemed that Yang Hjun-jun had practically become a lost cause at Celtic.
Most fans expected to see him leave the club at some point this season, either in the summer or during this January transfer window.
But it now looks like Brendan Rodgers could be ready to give him a lifeline, with Yang starting in recent matches against Dundee United and Ross County.
The Celtic manager has not given up on the Korean winger yet and, at 22, still feels that Yang could develop into a player deserving of more regular first-team football.
Yang in action for Celtic in their 4-1 win over Ross County last Sunday
Earlier this week, Rodgers was asked about coaching Yang and trying to help him take his game to a new level.
“Well, that's just time and patience and getting somewhere as a player and that mentality as well,” Rodgers said.
'We always work and give our best to all the players. It's just what your talent is and how that accelerates in the future.
“But he is a young boy who has adapted very well to coming from Korea and now speaks English, translating with the players.” It is a great testimony for him. He's a really good boy.
'Like I said, we have to look at it. But right now, with players out, he comes in and works very hard.”
Holm's return prospects are as distant as a galaxy far, far away
There was a time, many moons ago, when you would have done well to go for a leisurely afternoon beer or visit the local betting shops without bumping into a professional footballer.
Unfortunately, those pesky sports science bodies and the rules preventing players from betting have put an end to all that.
So what do today's players do once they leave training camp?
Some apparently try to cook. Others simply dive into the latest Netflix box set.
Odin Thiago Holm's idea of peaceful relaxation is building Lego. But not just any Lego. Star Wars Lego. And a lot.
Before putting the finishing touches on his loan move to Los Angeles FC this week, Celtic's Norwegian midfielder showed off his extensive collection of complete pieces on Instagram.
Worth an estimated £5,000 and filling several shelves in her Glasgow flat, Holm hopefully doesn't intend to lug it all to her temporary home in California.
Star Wars Lego fan Holm may have a big job rebuilding his Celtic career
If only he had been as adept at stringing together movements on the field as he is at deftly stringing together small pieces of plastic.
He caught the eye when he first arrived from Valerenga in 2023, but has never enjoyed a long career in the team under Brendan Rodgers.
He played only nine times in his first season; his most notable contribution was the night he was sent off against Feyenoord.
He was not named in this year's Champions League squad and has not been included in any matchday squad since the League Cup match against Falkirk on September 22. The last of his three appearances was on August 25 at St Mirren.
It is not inconceivable that he could still return to his parent club at the end of the year and make an impact for the second time.
However, right now that prospect seems as distant as a galaxy that is far, far away.
Celtic women hope the break provides a ray of sunshine in the league campaign
At their winter training camp in Gran Canaria, the Celtic women recharged their batteries, played a friendly against a Spanish team and took the opportunity to make some tactical changes to their approach.
With a new formation, they successfully returned to competitive action at New Douglas Park on Sunday, recording a 4-2 victory against Partick Thistle that keeps them in the fight to retain their Premier League title.
It was not his most ruthless performance. Saoirse Noonan's first goal was canceled out by Thistle's Carla Boyce, and they were frustrated by their opponents for much of the second half.
Celtic's women had a tough time in the Champions League against teams like Chelsea
María McAneny considers that they have recharged their batteries after the sun break
But Noonan finally doubled her tally with 15 minutes remaining, before substitutes Kelly Clark and Maria McAneny ensured Demi Falconer's late goal was just a consolation.
McAneny believes that while they had to be patient against Thistle, the work put in over the winter break will soon pay off.
“Coming back from a break, it takes some time to adapt, especially getting used to different playing patterns and stuff,” the midfielder said.
'But all girls are more than capable of doing that. “The more minutes and games we get, and the more we do it in training, it will become second nature to us.”
Now that they are out of the Champions League, Celtic can concentrate on their domestic commitments. Although they are nine points behind leaders Glasgow City, their objective is to make the most of the two games they have left to play.
The next league game will be at home against Aberdeen on Wednesday night. Then comes the Sky Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers on Sunday. It is a demanding start to the year for Elena Sadiku's team.