Brentford ramp up their interest in Celtic star as Bhoys stand firm on valuation

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The summer of change at Celtic shows no sign of slowing down.

Shin Yamada is Brendan Rodgers’ latest signing, becoming the club’s seventh acquisition this transfer window.

There have also been significant outgoings at Celtic Park, among them Nicolas Kuhn, the winger joining Como in a deal worth £16.5m.

Now, the club faces Premier League pressure for another of their attacking stars.

Brentford are in discussions with Daizen Maeda’s representatives

Earlier in the transfer window, 67 Hail Hail reported that Brentford were interested in Daizen Maeda amid uncertainty around the forward’s future.

While the 27-year-old remains at the club, featuring in Celtic’s pre-season games thus far, Brentford appear to be stepping up their interest amid their own struggles to keep Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.

As reported by TEAMtalk, ‘Maeda’s representatives have been in discussions with Brentford, signalling the club’s intent to act swiftly.’

The report continues: ‘[Maeda’s] pace, versatility, and relentless pressing have caught the eye of several Premier League clubs… but Brentford are pushing to secure his signature.’

The Bees seemingly view Maeda as a replacement for Wissa, but could nonetheless move for him ‘regardless of whether Wissa is sold after Mbeumo.’

They will have to stump up £25m to secure the Japanese international’s services, with Celtic having been clear about their valuation of their forward after news that Maeda could leave first emerged.

Shin Yamada cannot be expected to replace Daizen Maeda’s attacking output

With Yamada becoming another Celtic signing from the Japanese J-League, it is easy to make comparisons between him and Maeda.

However, while this may be fruitful in terms of what they bring defensively to the team (both players are dynamic and hard-working off the ball), it shouldn’t yet be made for their respective abilities in front of goal.

This is because Maeda is coming off the back of his most prolific season for Celtic, in which he found the back of the net 33 times and provided 12 assists in 51 appearances.

By contrast, Yamada has only scored twice in 21 J-League games for Kawasaki Frontale this term.

While the 25-year-old enjoyed a stronger season in 2024, during which he scored 19 times and laid on three assists in 42 league games, he is yet to replicate that form over multiple seasons.

As such, to expect him to replace Maeda’s output immediately is not wise. Celtic will therefore need to go into the market to bring in a strong replacement, should the club indeed part ways with Maeda.