Daizen Maeda Celtic exit agreement clause floated as Brendan Rodgers told one thing is crucial

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Daizen Maeda was a positive of the summer transfer window for Celtic.

The Hoops forward was linked with Fenerbahce and Brentford at various stages over the last few months, but Celtic managed to keep him.

However, in a bombshell interview with Japanese media, Maeda has revealed that Celtic denied him the chance to leave the club.

It’s clear Maeda’s head is elsewhere and it might explain his underwhelming start to the season. So what should Celtic and Brendan Rodgers do now?

• READ MORE: Comments made by Brendan Rodgers have left the Celtic hierarchy ‘deeply unhappy’

Jim Duffy says Celtic and Maeda could reach exit clause ‘agreement’

Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Jim Duffy reckons Celtic and Maeda may now come to an agreement over his future at the club.

The pundit floated the idea of a certain clause being inserted into his contract that guarantees an exit in January or next summer.

But Duffy said first and foremost, it is crucial that Rodgers sits down with Maeda to discuss what the 27-year-old told Japanese media.

Duffy said: “I think when the player gets back, there has to be a conversation with Brendan Rodgers, his translator or whatever, and have a sit down with him.

“Perhaps they might make an agreement that next season, whatever happens, whether that be a clause in his contract.

“But certainly, they have to clear the air with him because Celtic need him, it’s as simple as that.”

When does Maeda’s Celtic contract expire?

It’s gutting to hear that Celtic’s best player last season and one of the most loved by fans was keen to leave in the summer.

There’s no doubt Maeda will stay professional now that the window has closed and that he will give 100% regardless of his feelings.

But this is a difficult one for Celtic and Rodgers to navigate. Will all parties now reach an agreement over Maeda’s future with an exit-type clause?

Maeda is contracted with the Hoops until 2027, so the club will be due a decent fee if he was to be put up for sale either in January or next summer.

It’s likely Celtic won’t allow an exit until next summer, but it’s now clear Maeda’s time at the Hoops is approaching its end.