Celtic are now said to have agreed a £10million exit as their summer transfer window continues to leave fans frustrated. The Bhoys have still largely been inactive in this summer window, only signing one new player so far in Camilo Duran, who arrived on a £5.5million deal.
The Bhoys were expected to be proactive in the market after some fighting talk from Martin O'Neill and the club chiefs after last season, but it has been more of the same, and that's despite an expected run of exits this summer.
Celtic close in on big-name exit
According to Record Sport, Celtic have now agreed a deal in principle with Premier League newboys Ipswich Town to sell Daizen Maeda. The Japan international has dreamed of a Premier League move, and he now looks set to get his wish.
Maeda has given everything to Celtic in his four years at the club, scoring 44 goals in 133 league games, and he will leave with the blessing of Hoops fans, even though no one will want to see him leave.
Maeda is in the final year of his Celtic contract, and given he wants his big move, now is the best time to do a deal for both player and club. Some big fees have been mentioned, but the report claims the deal is worth £8million plus another £2million in add-ons.
Talks are now said to be at an 'advanced stage', and it's likely Celtic have seen the last of Maeda, who has not yet returned to training due to taking part in the World Cup and getting extra time off.
Meanwhile, Ipswich are in Spain as they look to ramp up preparations for their first season back in the Premier League after winning promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking. Though since then, Kieran McKenna has left the club and Gary O'Neill has taken over.
Maeda has said previously: “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.”
At 28 years of age, Maeda knew this summer would be his best opportunity after enjoying a fine season all-round, including at the World Cup, where he impressed for Japan as they reached the Round of 16.
It's a dream come true for Maeda, and Bhoys fans cannot begrudge it due to the dedication he showed while at the club.
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