‘Urgent’ – Celtic plan Daizen Maeda showdown talks amid transfer bombshell
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is set to hold crisis talks with star forward Daizen Maeda after a transfer bombshell involving the Japanese international.
Maeda joined Celtic in the winter transfer window on 2022 on an initial loan move that was made permanent in the following summer.
The Japanese international has spent the last two weeks away on international duty for their matches against Mexico and the United States of America (USA).
During his three and a half years at Celtic, Maeda has scored 36 Scottish Premiership goals, assisting 25 and playing 117 times.
Showdown talks to begin
It has now been revealed that Maeda had expressed a wish to leave Celtic this summer, with terms being agreed with another club.
The Scottish Sun are reporting that Brendan Rodgers is now set to “hold urgent talks” with Maeda when he returns to Glasgow from international duty.
Maeda is believed to be disappointed that Celtic stepped in the way of his exit from the club, but the Scottish Sun reportedly believe they did so due to their inability to replace the 27-year-old.
Football Insider exclusively revealed that despite his desire to leave, that Celtic wouldn’t sanction a move for Maeda in the January transfer window.
Celtic benefit from Rangers misfortune despite unconvincing start
Maeda has been a shell of his former self this season, with talkSPORT’s Alan Brazil even suggesting: “Something’s wring with him.”
That sentiment could be extended to a host of players at Celtic, who have been less than convincing during the opening month of the season.
Celtic sit top of the Scottish Premiership with 10 points from four games, level on points with second-placed Hearts.
| Celtic 2025-26 | |
| vs St. Mirren (H) | 1-0 |
| vs Aberdeen (A) | 2-0 |
| vs Falkirk (H) (League Cup) | 4-1 |
| vs Kairat (H) | 0-0 |
| vs Livingstone (H) | 3-0 |
| vs Kairat (A) | 0-0 (3-2) |
| vs Rangers (A) | 0-0 |
The manner of Celtic’s victories have been less than satisfactory for Rodgers though, and a disappointing Champions League exit to Kairat will see the Bhoys play Europa League football next season.
The bright spark for Rodgers’ side is their form comparative to Old Firm rivals Rangers, who sit seventh, six points adrift of Celtic already.
As Russell Martin’s team stumble out of the gates, a less-than-convincing Celtic side are no doubt the beneficiaries in the long term title race.