Sources: Celtic open Daizen Maeda talks after teammate quits
Celtic are stepping up their efforts to tie Daizen Maeda to a new deal, sources have told Football Insider.
Contract talks are ongoing between the club and the player, with the Hoops confident they can agree an extension with the Japanese star.
Brendan Rodgers is desperate to keep the 27-year-old at the club, especially after losing Kyogo Furuhashi in January.
Kyogo left Celtic to join Stade Rennais, and Maeda stepped up to fill the void for the second half of the campaign.
Celtic can’t afford to lose Maeda
Earlier this month, Football Insider revealed that any interested parties will have to pay over £25million to sign Celtic’s Maeda this summer.
There is a good reason for the high price tag as well, after the Japan international rose to another level last season.
Maeda started 30 Scottish Premiership games for the Hoops as they wrapped up their fourth straight league title.
The attacker scored 16 goals and picked up 10 assists in the process, with Celtic ending the season 17 points clear of arch-rivals Rangers, who finished second.
Celtic eye Man United defender
Meanwhile, Celtic may only be able to complete a deal for Tyrell Malacia if Manchester United subsidise the left-back’s wages, sources have told Football Insider.
Malacia and four of his team-mates have been kept at arm’s length by Ruben Amorim as Man United try to get them off the books ahead of next season, with Celtic one of several options for the 25-year-old.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson argued that Celtic would be getting a “top-quality player” in Malacia, but sources have told Football Insider that the Hoops would be unable to afford his wages.
Furthermore, Kieran Tierney’s return to Celtic Park on a free transfer from Arsenal means he’s likely to be Brendan Rodgers’ automatic starter at left-back, casting further doubt over a potential deal for Malacia.
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