Daizen Maeda to quit Celtic and join new club - Source

Daizen Maeda is becoming increasingly likely to leave Celtic as he seeks a new challenge away from Scotland, sources have told Football Insider.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a strong end to the season at Parkhead before impressing with Japan at the World Cup, and is believed to have attracted high-profile interest.

Following Japan's round-of-32 defeat against Brazil in Houston, the forward confessed that he has realised he "can't stay" at his current level and is determined to make a step up.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Maeda's press conference reveal means it is now "inevitable" that he will leave Celtic this summer.

He has been keen to move on in search of a new challenge for a while, having hoped to join Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg last summer, but they couldn't reach an agreement.

Celtic will insist any move will have to be on their terms and for the right price, but Maeda's stance may now make that difficult as he pushes to leave Parkhead.

Will Celtic accept offers for Daizen Maeda?

Football Insider revealed in May that Celtic will not stand in the way of Maeda leaving the club as he is keen to explore a new challenge away from Parkhead.

The forward's comments while on international duty confirmed his stance, having previously informed the club of his ambitions, with Celtic now set to entertain offers.

Celtic will aim to make a significant fee from Maeda's sale, which can be reinvested into the squad as they will need to find a replacement for their star forward.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Yeah, you would probably say it is inevitable that Daizen Maeda will leave Celtic this summer.

"He said the same things last summer that he was keen to move on and he came close, but Wolfsburg had an offer rejected for him as Celtic weren't able to bring in a replacement.

"Maeda is coming into the final year of his contract at Celtic, so this offers Celtic the last opportunity to cash in on him.

"He's had a good World Cup with Japan, obviously his pressing is we know a major strength of his as well and I'm sure there will be clubs ready to make offers for the Japan international as well."

Which clubs are interested in Maeda?

Maeda's interest in leaving Celtic this summer has placed a number of clubs across Europe on alert, with a race for his signature set to kick off in the near future.

Last summer, the forward had interest from a number of Bundesliga clubs before he ultimately remained at Celtic, and they will now face stiff competition.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that a number of Premier League clubs are interested in signing Maeda and have been watching him closely.

While it would be considered risky due to him being relatively unproven outside of Scotland, there is a growing chance an English club could take a gamble on him.

In what is set to be a busy summer for Celtic as they aim to strengthen their squad, the money on offer from Premier League clubs could come as a major boost.