This Celtic player has informed the club he wants to leave Parkhead in January

Celtic have reportedly been hit with a ‘January or bust’ transfer scenario as a key Parkhead player eyes a way out of the club.

The Hoops’ transfer strategy came under criticism over the summer, with Brendan Rodgers publicly speaking out about it prior to his departure. Jay Lefevre has also left the club, while Michael Nicholson has since ‘acknowledged the failings’ of the summer transfer window and ‘promised a review’ of how Celtic conduct their business.

They saw the likes of Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn leave the club over the summer and they could be set for another big departure following a shock update.

Daizen Maeda tells Celtic he wants to leave

According to TEAMtalk, Daizen Maeda has informed Celtic of his ‘desire to depart’ the club once the January transfer window opens.

The Japanese forward has been a key member of the team since his arrival in 2022. He initially signed in December 2021 on loan from Yokohama F. Marinos, before his move became permanent at the end of the season.

During his time at Glasgow, Maeda has won eight trophies, including four consecutive Scottish Premiership titles.

Despite his presence within the team, discontent has been ‘brewing’ behind the scenes. The report claims that Maeda felt his frustration peak over the summer when Celtic rejected offers from rival clubs for the 28-year-old winger’s services.

Maeda felt ‘sidelined’ when it came to new contract talks, and ‘overlooked’ for a potential move to the Premier League, which could boost his international chances.

“He’s given everything for Celtic, but he needs a fresh challenge,” an insider told TEAMtalk. “The rejection stung, and he’s made it clear: January or bust.”

Premier League clubs interested in Daizen Maeda

The report claims that as many as five Premier League clubs are currently keeping tabs on Maeda. Among those are Everton, Leeds United and Brentford.

While the latter has been linked with Maeda, they could also provide the Hoops with an additional pay day over the January window. Brentford are the current home of former Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer and Wolfsburg are interested in bringing him to Germany in 2026.

Should the Bundesliga side be successful in their pursuit, Celtic could be entitled to a small pay day as a result of a sell-on clause.

Ajer signed for Brentford from Celtic in 2021 for a club record fee at the time. Reports during the time of his transfer suggested a sell-on clause was likely added into the deal by the Hoops, who often do insert such clauses into high profile sales.