Report: Celtic Reject Maeda Bid and Set Asking Price

By
Michael Shearer
-
Soccer Football - Scottish Cup - Final - Aberdeen v Celtic - Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - May 24, 2025 Celtic's Daizen Maeda reacts Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Celtic have reportedly rejected an opening offer from Turkish side Fenerbahce for Daizen Maeda, insisting it will take a fee in the region of £21 million to prise him away from Glasgow.

The Turkish club, who are preparing for life after Allan Saint-Maximin, are said to have lodged an initial bid of €10 million (£8.4 million) for the Japanese international. However, reports from Sozcu in Turkey suggest Celtic showed no interest in engaging with the proposal, considering it far below the player’s current valuation.

3A8X33D Celtic’s Daizen Maeda scores their side’s first goal of the game during the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday March 29, 2025.

Maeda had a standout season for Celtic in 2024/25, hitting 33 goals in 52 games across all competitions. After Kyogo left for Rennes in January, Maeda stepped up as the main striker and never looked back. He led the line with energy and consistency, finishing as the Hoops’ top scorer and picking up a number end-of-season awards along the way.

Fenerbahce clearly rate him highly and are trying to get a deal done, but Celtic have reportedly made their stance clear, they want £21 million or they’re not interested. Whether the Turkish side are willing to come back with a serious offer remains to be seen.

Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with Maeda, although their situation is complicated by the uncertainty surrounding Ange Postecoglou’s future. The Australian, who brought Maeda to Celtic in early 2022 for just over £1 million, could be on his way out of Spurs despite guiding them to Europa League success last term. If he remains, Spurs may decide to enter the race, particularly with Maeda’s familiarity with Postecoglou’s style of football.

Adam Idah Celtic
7th February 2024; Easter Road, Edinburgh, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Hibernian versus Celtic; Adam Idah of Celtic celebrates with Daizen Maeda of Celtic after he scores from the penalty spot to make it 1-0 to Celtic in the 9th minute

Currently Celtic have three main strikers in the squad, Maeda, Adam Idah, who joined last summer in a £9 million move, and Johnny Kenny, back from a successful loan at Shamrock Rovers. But the club still haven’t replaced Kyogo like for like, and letting Maeda go at this stage would seem unimaginable.

With the Scottish transfer window set to open next month, Celtic will need to manage both potential departures and new signings as they aim to balance success at home and in Europe while shaping their squad for the season ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. Get real. Maeda is half a team on his own. I would suggest a £30 million pound fee, for this incentive in a lifetime player. Fir some twwat to come out with this in the region of around 21 million (meaning 17 mill) is saying he’s here come & buy because we honestly don’t care what the fans think, & anyway our level is the Eufa cup. No doubt I will never see my team lift the European cup again , though postacoglu done it with Diddy spurs . I just wish we had the balls not balloons.

  2. A NOT FOR SALE sign should be put up unless Daizen expresses a desire to leave. If he does not want to leave – end of story.

Comments are closed.