Sources: Daizen Maeda eyes Premier League switch as Celtic exit plan revealed
Daizen Maeda’s future at Celtic has been up in the air since he confessed he was interested in leaving Parkhead during the summer transfer window.
Football Insider revealed on 12 September that Maeda is now pushing to leave Celtic in January after failing to secure a deal before the transfer deadline.
So far this season, he has featured 12 times across all competitions, scored two goals and provided two assists as he remains a crucial attacking outlet.
Brendan Rodgers, meanwhile, is believed to be reluctant to lose his star man amid ongoing frustrations at the board over their transfer market decision-making.
This comes after Football Insider revealed that Rodgers is doing everything he can to keep Maeda and has no plans to let him leave mid-way through the season.
Celtic stance on Daizen Maeda’s January exit revealed
Football Insider revealed on 8 September that Celtic will not allow Maeda to leave in January, but that has done little to deter interest in his signature.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Celtic are planning to block any interest in the forward in the mid-season window as he remains a crucial player as they pursue further silverware under Rodgers.
Concerns about whether they would be able to adequately replace the forward have emerged after their issues following Kyogo Furuhashi‘s exit in January.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “It’ll be difficult to do in January. Celtic won’t want to lose Maeda midway through the season because he’ll be a very hard player to replace.
“I would imagine the summertime would be more the likely option that Maeda could leave Celtic.
“He came close to leaving in the summer window because the player was keen on a move away to find a new challenge, and he’s now interested in a move to the Premier League.
“Right now, think Celtic will be looking to keep hold of Maeda, they’re pretty short of attacking cover and Rodgers won’t want to lose anybody in January.
“So it’s maybe something that might be revisited in the summer window, especially if the player is unsettled up in Glasgow.”
While the Japan international remains a key player for Celtic, Neil Lennon has slammed Maeda’s displays amid concerns his desire to leave has impacted his play.
Premier League clubs line up offers for Maeda
A number of Premier League clubs are believed to be interested in signing the Japan international, having missed out during the summer window.
Football Insider revealed on 4 July that Tottenham and Brentford are interested in signing Maeda in a deal that could be worth as much as £25million.
West Ham were also believed to be keeping tabs on the forward’s situation, although it was a Bundesliga outfit who reportedly came closest to landing a deal.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 28 July that Maeda has had his head turned by Premier League interest and is unwilling to commit to a new deal.
Talks over a potential new contract at Celtic stalled during the summer and clubs are still believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation.
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