Celtic accelerate deal to sign Daizen Maeda replacement – sources
Celtic are set to accelerate a deal to sign Sondre Orjasaeter in the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that Brendan Rodgers wants to sign a left-winger to provide some competition for, and potentially replace, Daizen Maeda.
The 27-year-old remains one of Celtic’s most important players and is considered to be one of the first names on the team sheet for the Hoops.
However, Rodgers wants to have backup in that area and is hoping to keep everyone on their toes as the club hopes to be playing in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Maeda has played 29 games for the Hoops this season, scoring 14 and providing six assists as he has made a major impact throughout the campaign.
However, the Japan international also has the potential to play up front, and signing a new player would potentially free up that option.
Sondre Orjasaeter could be a long-term option for Celtic
Orjasaeter is a winger that the Scottish giants are monitoring, with the 21-year-old being seen as someone who has “huge potential” moving forward.
The winger has got 15 goals and 15 assists this season and plays as an inverted winger for Sarpsborg.
The youngster has broken into the Norway Under-21s international setup and is being seen as someone for the future at Celtic, which would provide Maeda with enough competition.
Rodgers’ side currently sits top of the Scottish Premiership after an impressive start to the season which has seen them lose just once in 21 games.
Celtic have a commanding 15-point gap over their Old Firm rivals Rangers at the moment.
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