Daizen Maeda Decides He Wants to Leave Celtic Ahead of New Manager Hire

Daizen Maeda could exit Celtic when the January window opens for business.

The Hoops attacker dropped a major bombshell in the summer when he revealed that he wanted to depart the Scottish champions and take the next step in his career.

Daizen Maeda Poised for January Exit From Celtic

The £21,000-a-week Japan international has been a revelation in Glasgow’s east end ever since joining under Ange Postecoglou and firmly established himself as a fans’ favourite with his incredible work rate and desire to get up and down the pitch often lauded.

Last season, he scooped the major individual awards after hitting 33 goals in 51 games, while also providing 12 assists including four goals in the Champions League.

That sort of form has attracted major attention in his services, but that interest was knocked back with the club not having a replacement lined up.

Clubs in England and abroad have held an interest in previous windows, and it is claimed that strong interest remains ahead of the January window opening for business, reports the Daily Record – with Celtic recruitment chiefs working hard behind the scenes to identify potential attacking replacements.

A Maeda exit would come as a major first blow for the next permanent manager as the club continue their search for Brendan Rodgers’ successor.

Martin O’Neill is still in interim charge and is light in attacking options, with Callum Osmand and Kelechi Iheanacho both out injured.

Johnny Kenny found his goalscoring form before the international break with Maeda also able to provide an option through the middle – as he showed with huge success last term.

But this season he’s found form and goals harder to come by with just four strikes in his 17 outings to date.

Maeda is currently away with Japan on international duty as he looks to impress national team bosses with the World Cup in mind.

The Samurai Blue became the first team to join co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the USA at the finals after successfully stamping their ticket back in March.

On his return from the international scene, Maeda and his Celtic colleagues face a packed fixture schedule as they chase down league leaders Hearts in the Premiership.

They’ve also got the small matter of the Premier Sports Cup Final against St Mirren next month, while they will be looking to pick up the required results to reach the Europa League knockout round.

Celtic players and fans alike are waiting to find out if that will be under the guidance of a new manager or if O’Nelll and Maloney will continue in their interim role when the November break is over.