Every player has their price, and Celtic forward Daizen Maeda is no different.
It was well-documented in the summer that Maeda wanted to leave Celtic, but the powers that be blocked a transfer from taking place.
One man who knows the ins and outs of all things Scottish football transfers is Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph.
With Celtic’s January transfer window not going to plan, Joseph shared an insight into the Maeda situation from the summer up until now.
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At what price would you consider selling Daizen Maeda?
Will Celtic sell Daizen Maeda in January?
The relationship between the Celtic board and the fans is probably the worst it has been, so they would have to be really stupid to let such an important figure go now.
Speaking on Off the Underside, Joseph says there would be ‘absolute chaos’ at Parkhead if Maeda is allowed to go.
But Joseph also explained just how close the Japan international came to leaving during the 2025 summer transfer window, including ‘clearing out his locker.’
“I think if Celtic sold Daizen Maeda in this January window, there would be chaos,” said Joseph. “Absolute chaos if there isn’t already chaos.
“I think that is also the reason why they didn’t let him go in the last weekend of the window. The weekend of the derby, the first derby of the season.
“When they had that bid, it was big money. He had cleared out his locker. He was all set to go, and they weren’t able to because they just didn’t have adequate replacements.
“You would have probably seen Rodgers resigning there and then if they had let Idah and Maeda go, and then no replacements for the way it worked out.
“I don’t think, look, if someone bids silly money, then Celtic are going to have to entertain it. But I think it’s very unlikely Maeda will be sold in this window. I don’t think Celtic are willing to sell any of their assets as such.”
The first thing I would do if I was on the Celtic board is – – – –
What are the Celtic board thinking…
Celtic have put themselves in a right mess; they have no choice but to think short-term now, and that’s exactly what is happening.
Joseph explained that, amid the craving for the ‘long-term’ issues to be sorted, the under-fire Celtic board are, so far, thinking about just ‘winning the league’, and then they are in for a ‘very busy summer’, including restructuring of the club.
“Celtic are very much focused on the short-term of, they need to win the league,” added Joseph. “That’s basically their one and only aim is to go and win this league.
“Celtic fans want to see the long-term ambition, but I just think they need to recover. The board see it like that as well.
“That they just need to win the league. Recover in the summer. They don’t just need players. They need a whole structure now – it’s going to be a very busy summer for them.”
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