‘Daizen Maeda to leave Celtic this summer’
Brendan Rodgers could begin the 2025/26 campaign without Daizen Maeda as Celtic prepare for the summer transfer window.
There is absolutely no doubt that Maeda has been the standout player for Celtic this season, boasting 33 goals and 11 assists in 48 appearances, which helped the Hoops to a 55th Scottish Premiership title.
No other player in the squad comes close to the Japan international in terms of goals, with Nicolas Kuhn netting 20 and Adam Idah netting 18 during the 2024/25 campaign.
The Hoops are already set to be without left-winger Jota, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury and could be out for much of next season, and now Rodgers could lose another one of his stars.
Andy Halliday believes that, following an incredible campaign across multiple competitions, Celtic could field several big-money offers for Maeda once the summer transfer window opens.
Daizen Maeda to attract big-money offers this summer
Speaking on the Open Goal podcast (5 May), Halliday said: “I don’t think Maeda will be there next season. The levels he’s hit this season, surely, big clubs will be looking at him.
“With the levels he’s hit, especially in Europe and the way he plays off the ball, a lot of big teams will be interested.”
Brendan Rodgers to prepare for another Celtic rebuild
Football Insider verdict
Celtic have already been urged to replace Idah and Arne Engels, neither of which have made the impact expected of them when being signed for big money last season.
The Hoops lost Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes last summer, a move which has completely backfired for the 30-year-old, making just six appearances for the Ligue 1 club and being left out of the squad recently.
| Celtic’s biggest departures last summer | Club joined | Transfer fee |
| Matt O’Riley | Brighton | £25million (BBC Sport) |
| Kyogo Furuhashi | Rennes | £8.4million (Fabrizio Romano) |
| Alexandro Bernabei | Internacional | £4.5million (Daily Record) |
The transfer model at Celtic Park clearly works, with Rodgers leading his side to another Scottish Premiership title, and with a 17-point gap at the top of the table over Rangers, too.
However, with 49ers Enterprises’ takeover at Ibrox, their Old Firm rivals might be about to catch up, and Rodgers needs every bit of backing from the boardroom if the Hoops are to repeat this season.
Celtic are also at risk of losing Rodgers, though Ally McCoist told Football Insider that the former Leicester City figure is unlikely to leave until he has another shot in the Champions League.