Celtic star Daizen Maeda has head turned as Premier League club eye move – pundit
Alan Hutton has claimed choosing between Celtic and the Premier League is a “tough decision” for Daizen Maeda.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Rangers defender said that even if Southampton don’t get relegated this season, there is a high likelihood they will eventually go down.
Maeda had been linked with a move to St Mary’s back in January after an impressive World Cup with Japan but the 25-year-old remained at Parkhead.
Now, according to the Glasgow Times (8 March), the Saints have sent scouts to watch the forward as they eye up a potential move in the summer.
As quoted in the same report, the Japan international said he is not thinking about the future “at all” and is solely focused on winning “another cup and league title” with Ange Postecoglou’s side this season.
Maeda joined Celtic on a permanent deal last summer from Yokohoma F Marinos after a successful loan spell with the club.
Since his arrival, the winger has become a massive part of Postecoglou’s squad and has made 38 appearances across all competitions this season.
When asked if players like Maeda could be drawn to a Premier League team that are battling relegation, Hutton told Football Insider: “For me it is the best league in the world so I understand somebody wanting to go and test themselves at that level.
“That is normal. But if you are going to go to a team that is struggling, fighting year after year, ultimately there is going to come a time the chances are you are going to go down and be a Championship team.
“Is that better than playing week in week out in front of 50,000, winning things? It is a tough decision.“
In other news, according to sources, Celtic are pulling out all the stops to keep three big names.