Celtic enter 'talks' over selling key star pining for summer transfer as 'strong desire' could come true
Hoops talisman has made no secret of his ambitions this summer
Celtic forward Daizen Maeda has entered talks with Premier League new boys Ipswich Town as he edges ever-closer to a transfer away from Parkhead.
After a strong end to last season - mixed with a successful World Cup campaign with Japan - the 28-year old told Japanese media last week that he has a ‘strong desire’ top play in the English top flight to further develop his career. Ipswich’s new boss Gary O’Neil has since expressed an interest, but reportedly, no formal offer has been made as yet.
For Celtic, the pace, energy and goalscoring output of the Japan international makes him nigh on irreplaceable. Since signing from Yokohama F. Marinos in 2022, Maeda has received endless plaudits for his ability to press. He’s scored 79 goals in 212 Hoops appearances so far in his career. His Parkhead contract will expire in June next year.
Celtic in ‘talks’ with Ipswich over Maeda deal
According to Sky Sports: “Ipswich Town have held talks with Celtic over a deal to sign forward Daizen Maeda. The two clubs discussed conditions over a possible switch, with a formal offer yet to be made. The 28-year-old wants to move to the Premier League, and Gary O’Neil’s newly promoted side are keen on landing the Japan international.”
While losing Maeda would be a bitter blow to Martin O’Neill’s squad, the outside interest will come as no surprise to the Celtic boss, who last week at their pre-season training camp in Portugal admitted he was resigned to losing the player in the summer. He also said the same for midfielder Arne Engels amid interest from Nottingham Forest.
Maeda came to life towards the end of last season, scoring nine goals in Celtic’s last seven matches, including the killer striker against Hearts to secure the league title and opener against Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup final. After he featured in all four of Japan’s games at the 2026 World Cup, the attacker attracted a whole new worldwide audience, as several potential suitors have come to light.
Meada on ‘strong desire’ to make Premier League switch
Speaking last week on Japanese YouTube show Pivot, he said: “Since I went to Celtic, I became interested in the Premier League. I started watching a lot of Premier League games. I have a strong desire to play in the Premier League.
“I watch all the games. When I was in Japan, I didn’t watch football at all. But when I went abroad, I was able to watch it in real time. So I naturally watched the Premier League. I was watching Atletico’s game and (Antoine) Griezmann scored a loop shot. The next day, I scored the same loop shot. So I thought it was important to watch football. I think the higher you go, the better you get.”