The Bundesliga transfer that should give Celtic fans confidence about imminent Daizen Maeda deal

By Hamish Carton

December 30, 2021

The nature of Celtic’s proposed move for Japanese goal-machine Daizen Maeda has got plenty of Hoops fans talking over the last 24 hours.

Last night, we told you about the report in Japan that a deal had been agreed between Celtic and Yokohama F. Marinos.

Maeda seems likely to move to Scotland initially on a six month loan – with the £1.7million move made permanent six months later.

Some supporters seemed immediately skeptical about the club not making the move permanent – but there really is no need to be alarmed.

Ange has been involved in a deal like this before.

Ange sold player in similar fashion in 2020

Back in 2020, while manager of the aforementioned F. Marinos, Ange sold star winger Keita Endo to Bundesliga newcomers Union Berlin.

The deal was initially a season-long loan, with Union signing Endo permanently in April of this year. (Union Berlin)

Ange would have been central to those negotiations, so the chances of the wool being pulled over his eyes here seem minimal.

Perhaps, both Celtic and F. Marinos are just seeking a little insurance on this deal, and an initial loan suits both parties.

If, for whatever reason, Maeda doesn’t hit it up in Scotland, then nobody will have lost out in his return to Japan.

We won’t have shelled out the guts of £2million – while F. Marinos will still have the player on their books.

That’s my reading of the situation. Let’s see how it plays out.

In other news, former Celtic striker Scott McDonald was in action on BT Sport at the age of 38 on Thursday