Celtic look set to lose one of their most dynamic attackers this summer, with reports confirming that the Scottish Premiership champions won’t stand in Daizen Maeda’s way if he wants to leave before the 2026/27 season. Transfer insider Pete O’Rourke revealed on the Transfer Insider podcast that Maeda actually asked Brendan Rodgers for a move last summer.
Celtic ready to let Maeda go as exit talks gather momentum
He ended up staying at Parkhead, but that uncertainty clearly affected his form in the first half of the season. However, Maeda gave everyone a timely reminder of his quality by scoring the winning goal in Celtic‘s title-clinching victory over Hearts on Saturday, capping off a strong second-half recovery.
O’Rourke noted that Celtic realise this summer is likely their last chance to get a decent transfer fee for the Japanese international, especially since he is keen to try a new challenge in European football.
“(Maeda) spoke to Brendan Rodgers last year and asked if he could leave. He ended up staying at Celtic, and obviously, that did affect his form in the first half of the season.
“I think this is probably Celtic’s last chance to cash in on him, especially if he is open and willing to seek a new challenge as well.
“I’m sure his mind probably hasn’t changed too much from last summer. I think he probably feels that he would like to move on for a new adventure as well, so it’ll be another busy summer for Celtic to see what they can do with Maeda.”
Does Maeda’s inconsistency make him a risk Celtic can no longer afford to carry?
On paper, Maeda’s 2025/26 Premiership stats, 14 goals, six assists, and 34 chances created across 36 appearances, look impressive. His 46% shot accuracy and 47.7% successful dribble rate also highlight his direct, hardworking style. Yet those numbers hide a real issue, and that’s a player whose mindset so heavily impacts his performances is a risky asset for any club to rely on.
Former manager Rodgers, who relies on open communication and structured environments, handled Maeda’s unhappiness brilliantly by keeping him focused during a difficult period. While that reflects well on the Celtic dressing room culture, having a player publicly ask for a transfer and then blow hot and cold creates unnecessary drama, even if he did come good in the end.
Celtic are trying to build a sustainable squad model and simply cannot plan for the long term around a winger whose commitment seems half-hearted. Selling Maeda now, while his value is high after his late-season form, saves Celtic from a much messier situation this time next year. Celtic must move quickly this summer to replace Maeda’s goal threat in the box before pre-season gets underway.
