Sources: Celtic could accept Daizen Maeda offer as replacement lined up
Daizen Maeda could be about to leave Celtic to put an end to months of rumours and unrest around his future at the club.
Celtic‘s 2024-25 Scottish Premiership title win was fronted by Daizen Maeda as he netted 16 goals in 34 league games.
Football Insider revealed in the summer that Tottenham and Brentford were interested in signing Maeda as he stalled over penning a new contract at Parkhead following that impressive campaign.
He failed to seal a move away from the club before the end of the summer window, but Maeda still wants to leave Celtic in January, according to Football Insider’s sources.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Celtic are only likely to let Maeda leave if they have a replacement forward lined up in the new year.
Maeda to leave Celtic in January if new forward signed
Everton are targeting Maeda in January as he seeks a move to the Premier League despite a slow start to this term with four goals in his first 17 appearances of the season.
The Japan international looks set to depart Parkhead if the right offer comes in, but the Hoops will only let him make an exit if another versatile attacker is brought in.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “There is an opportunity for Celtic to cash in on Daizen Maeda. He’s definitely not been at his best this season.
“He’s probably been a bit distracted by all that transfer speculation over the summer, maybe a bit disappointed that he didn’t get his move away in the summer transfer window which he hoped for.
“For Celtic right now, I don’t think they can afford to let him go without bringing in a replacement first and foremost. He’s obviously a player who is maybe a bit unhappy with his situation right now.
“He’s under contract until 2027. If there is interest in Maeda in the January window, it’s maybe something Celtic will look at to allow the player to move and get the move that he wished he got in the summer.”
Celtic’s number one January priority is a new striker signing
Celtic find themselves in an unfamiliar situation right now as they continue to trail Hearts in second place in the Scottish Premiership.
It has been a turbulent campaign for all involved with the Glasgow giants, but Wilfried Nancy is set to become their new manager and the squad seems to be more settled after some good form under Martin O’Neill.
One position needs addressing in particular after Kelechi Iheanacho picked up a serious injury last month, with Football Insider recently revealing that Celtic are prioritising a striker signing in the new year.
Diego Rossi has been linked to Celtic and he could follow Nancy to Scotland after some fine form while playing under him at Columbus Crew in the last few seasons.