Daizen Maeda was Celtic's and Scottish football's best player last season, scoring 33 goals and providing a further 12 assists. Of course, that kind of form often means that clubs from other leagues come calling in the summer and it looks like that will be the case for the Japanese forward as well. Recently, he has been linked with Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce. English clubs will be keeping an eye out as well.
The best-case scenario for Celtic would be Maeda staying. Even if they get a big transfer fee out of his exit, there is very little chance that they will be able to sign a replacement capable of delivering 45 goal contributions.
Yet, it looks like Celtic will be open to Maeda's exit for the right offer. In fact, reports in the Turkish media have claimed that they started negotiations with Fenerbahce at £25 million.
As is the rule of negotiations, one would imagine that that means there is some wiggle room on that figure. Unless Celtic are unwilling to move on their demands.
Celtic fans left stunned by fee Daizen Maeda can leave for
Over the years, we have seen three Celtic players leave for around that £25 million figure. Kieran Tierney to Arsenal in 2019, Jota to Al-Ittihad in 2023 and Matt O'Riley to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2024. Will Maeda join that list?
Most Celtic fans would have been hoping for a bigger figure, closer to the £30 million mark, in the scenario of a Maeda exit. But it looks like Celtic might have hit a ceiling in terms of fees they can bring in.
They have not been helped by the fact that players have struggled after leaving the club for big fees. Jota had two failed stints before returning. O'Riley is already being linked with a Brighton exit.