Report: Celtic "confident" of landing J-League star Daizen Maeda

By Euan Davidson

October 22, 2021

Celtic are going to add another Japanese scoring sensation to the squad, in the form of Diazen Maeda, according to a report.

The Times report that Postecoglou is “confident” of landing a deal for the Yokohama F Marinos 24-year-old. The publication goes on to say that well-placed sources believe a deal will be done.

Now, this is interesting. Very interesting indeed.

If you look at the J-League top scorer’s you’ll notice that yes, Kyogo Furuhashi is still third. But he’s been overtaken by Maeda [ESPN], who Postecoglou knows very well from his time with Yokohama F Marinos.

Signed from J2 side Matsumoto Yamaga in 2020, Maeda has had no problems stepping up a level, just like Furuhashi going to Vissel Kobe. If anything, he’s become markedly better, scoring 21 goals in 64 outings for Yokohama F Marinos [Transfermarkt].

A clever attacker who can play on the left, up front or behind the striker, it’s a very enticing move indeed. Not only is he the biggest J-League talent Postecoglou could’ve linked himself with, but he occupies a particularly productive space in the team where Celtic are concerned.

Were Postecoglou to sign Maeda, as reports suggest, it may require some tinkering with formations. But it’s nonetheless a very, very exciting bit of transfer speculation.

Daizen Maeda represents a potentially quality move for Celtic

Maeda has been a name to watch since Postecoglou came in. Celtic fans were delighted when Kyogo Furuhashi, an absolute dynamo in the J-League, made his move.

The 5’7″ Maeda has stepped in for the lovable Bhoys forward. He’s now the league’s main man in terms of scoring goals. And he’s doing so for a side who enjoyed enormous success under our current manager.

It does feel a bit like the stars have aligned here.

No doubt, the popularity of Kyogo Furuhashi has led to a lot of J-League talents wondering whether Glasgow’s the place for them. Fans haven’t taken to a player for a long time, in the way they’ve taken to Kyogo.

With Jota and Mikey Johnston on the left, and James Forrest still to come in on the right, as well as Kyogo and Giorgos Giakoumakis through the middle, it’ll be interesting to see how, if he signs, Maeda would be used by his former manager in Yokohama.

Know this, though; it’s exactly the kind of move Celtic should be making. And by The Times’ account, it’s in motion.

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