Daizen Maeda has reaffirmed his intention to move to the Premier League this summer.
After an outstanding end to the season at Celtic, the 28-year-old went to the World Cup full of confidence and showed what he can do on the world stage.
It feels like we’re at the end of Maeda’s Celtic story, and he hasn’t been quiet about his intended destination.
Speaking this week, he opened up on discussions about a move down south.
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Maeda said at an event promoting his new book Gamble: Why am I running so much?: “I’ve always said that I want to play in the Premier League, but I think I’ll just play wherever I am.
“In terms of timing (for a transfer), I think this is the right time. But you never know what will happen…
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“Of course, I’ve been saying ever since I went to Celtic that I want to play in the Premier League.
“But it’s difficult because I’m 28 years old, and when I talk to people, it’s kind of a ‘hmm’ feeling.
“But you never know what kind of offer will come. But no matter which team it is, I think I’ll just keep going.”
Japan suffered a third consecutive heartbreaking World Cup exit by losing to a Brazil winner right at the very end.
Maeda started the match and played 90 minutes, impressing with his performance and earning plaudits from pundits who both were and weren’t familiar with him.
Earlier in the tournament, he scored against Sweden, making it a second consecutive goalscoring World Cup while at Celtic.
Maeda has established his status as a modern Celtic legend with his extraordinary form for the run-in, scoring in each of the Hoops’ last seven games of the season.
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How other Celtic players fared at the World Cup
Alistair Johnston had an exceptional tournament, also making the last sixteen with Canada, for whom he played every minute.
Like Maeda, the defender has generated interest in the transfer market, though he hasn’t signalled any intention to move on this summer.
Auston Trusty spoke of his pride after being eliminated with the USA at a home tournament, having made the round of 16.
It was less enjoyable for the likes of Sebastian Tounekti, Hyunjun Yang and Kieran Tierney, who were all eliminated in the group stage.
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