Celtic are focusing on incomings ahead of the January transfer window.
But as is the case in any window, Hoops fans will need to keep an eye on the back door as well.
Wilfried Nancy is in desperate need of reinforcements in a number of positions, particularly at wing-back and centre forward.
A centre forward of his own, Daizen Maeda, was on the verge of joining Wolfsburg in the summer, and eventually made the bombshell revelation that he was held at the club against his will.
Despite this, Nancy has said that Maeda is happy at Celtic– but this reportedly hasn’t stopped one club from pursuing him regardless.
Sutton’s verdict on Celtic’s football under Nancy. Justified?
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda pursued by European club
The financial terms of the Wolfsburg move were unknown, but with Brendan Rodgers already desperately low on attacking options, it’s understandable why the club couldn’t greenlight the deal.
With Nancy’s new system, however, it’s now even more essential for Celtic to make the right signings – if they want to win the league, that is.
READ MORE: Watch what Wilfried Nancy did for the first time at Celtic after Livingston win
But their resolve could be tested, if reports in Turkey are to be believed.
Takagazette are reporting that Trabzonspor have asked for terms of a potential transfer of the Hoops star, who has recently turned 28.
They say that his transfer value is €14 million, and he is on the transfer list if the financial terms are suitable.
That price tag would be a good deal for Celtic on paper, but given Maeda’s importance to the team, you have to question whether it would really be worth taking.
The Hoops were charmed by a £10 million offer for Kyogo Furuhashi a year ago – and many said that the deal represented good business for the club – but Celtic simply haven’t recovered from losing his goals.
Especially on the European level, Maeda’s intensity on and off the ball is arguably even more important than Kyogo’s goals were.
And you’d have to feel for Nancy if one of his best players were to be sold in his first transfer window, with the team already low on quality.
At what price would you consider selling Daizen Maeda?
Wilfried Nancy on Daizen Maeda at Celtic
Maeda has started every game since Nancy’s arrival – not that fitness is often an issue for him, in fairness…
But when asked about the Japan international at a recent press conference, Nancy discussed what his best position was, between winger and striker.
His simple answer: “Both!
“He’s not a natural winger, I would say, because he’s able to make the run. Instead of when he starts in the middle, he makes the run on the side to attack.
“When he starts on the side, he makes the run towards the net. So this is all about this kind of situation.
“After that, he can be good also as a No 9 but he needs players around him. He’s a player who can keep the ball but he likes to make the run, he likes to combine. It’s all about players around him.
“But also, tactically, he’s really interesting because when I have him on the side, I know that something will happen.
“Or in behind, or we can use the fact that he’s on the wing to be able to attack through the middle. So it depends.”
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