‘Daizen Maeda opens door to completing Premier League club move’ after Celtic talks
Daizen Maeda has delayed talks over a new contract with Celtic amid growing interest in a big-money move this summer.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 27-year-old has had his head turned by Premier League interest.
While he is happy to remain at Parkhead and will not force a move away, he is reluctant to commit to a long-term contract at this stage of the window.
Instead, he plans to assess any offers that come in for him after Football Insider revealed Tottenham and Brentford are interested in signing Maeda.
The Japan international will take his time before making a decision about his future and plans to leave his options open in case he receives an offer he can’t refuse.
This comes after Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Celtic had held contract talks with Maeda and were optimistic of reaching an agreement.
Daizen Maeda open to Celtic exit amid Premier League interest
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider in June that Brendan Rodgers is determined to keep Maeda and build his team around him.
Now, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted that while he may still remain at Parkhead, the forward’s head has been turned by interest.
“I think the Premier League interest has turned his head a bit,” he told Football Insider.
“With two years left on his contract, he’s going to have a look at all of his options, and this summer he’s going to wait and see what comes up.
“It’s a win-win situation for him because he’s going to be happy to stay at Celtic.
“It isn’t that he wants to leave, but if a Premier League club come in for him, he might want to make that move so he doesn’t want to close that door.
“Signing a new contract now means that opportunity will never come up.
“At this stage, that’s been delayed and he’ll wait and see who comes in for him.”
Brendan Rodgers’ four-man transfer plan revealed
Despite the speculation surrounding Maeda’s future at Parkhead, Rodgers remains determined to enter the new season with a stronger squad than last.
Football Insider revealed on 22 July that Celtic want to sign a new centre-back and central midfielder before the window closes next month.
The Hoops have had a fairly understated transfer window so far, ahead of their bid to win their fifth Scottish Premiership title in a row next season.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed that Celtic are working to replace attacking stars Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn in the coming weeks.
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