The £2m star wants to officially sign for Celtic this summer

Is there a different, more exciting footballer to watch than Celtic’s Daizen Maeda?

The Japanese striker, who was close to leaving for Wolfsburg last summer, has been missing for most of 2025/26, seemingly unable to buy a goal following Martin O’Neill’s return to action in January.

However, during the push, the 28-year-old went silent, starting a remarkable run that will live long in the memory, almost pulling the Glasgow team to the Premiership title.

From that kicking off the derby, in his emotional celebration after hitting the net on the final day, Maeda certainly stamped his cult hero status. He’s not the only one…

The £2m star is now set to officially join Celtic this summer

From hiring managers to sorting out transfers, the Parkhead division is rarely seen snapping its act together, often left scrambling towards the end of the day – just like last summer.

The window is now fully operational, and there has been little concrete movement, with the focus on potential exits, including young Arne Engels.

There was also talk of a departure for fellow midfielder Reo Hatate, with a number of exits on the cards, not least amid a string of loan signings returning to their parent clubs.

One man who would like to stay a little longer has little feeling, Marcelo Saracchi, with the Daily Record giving the latest on his hopes of securing permanent residency.

According to the report, the Uruguayan defender is attracting interest from MLS clubs and Turkey, however he wants to officially sign for the Hoops, following a season on loan.

A big bonus is that it would cost as little as £2m to sign the 28-year-old from Boca Juniors, who provides good cover for Kieran Tierney on the left.

Why would Saracchi be another Maeda in the making

The goals came from Maeda at the tail end of last season, scoring at least once in the last five league games, as well as scoring one goal each in the semi-final and final of the Scottish Cup.

The total of 17 goals in all competitions came on the heels of his 33-goal haul the previous year, a 2024/25 campaign that saw him emerge as a standout at Parkhead.

Before that, most of the praise directed at the former Yokohama man focused on his empty career, with Chris Sutton being the “one-man machine” in 2022.

That flamboyant, relentless style endeared Maeda instantly to the Celtic faithful, with an unknown talent quickly gaining cult status in Glasgow.

There is a very similar feeling to Saracchi, it has to be said, with the South American slowly emerging as a key asset to O’Neill’s squad, after a muted, injury-plagued start at the club.

He actually made just 27 appearances in 2025/26, scoring and assisting just three goals, but was often influential from the bench, with Tierney still needing to be wrapped in cotton wool.

For example, on the final day, Saracchi was key to Celtic’s late second-half surge, and it was his run and threaded pass that sparked Maeda’s ‘winner’ against Hearts.

He was then singled out by O’Neill in post-match dressing room scenes, receiving a warm hug and hailed as a “special lad” by his brilliant manager.

Like Maeda, it’s hard not to warm to the defender, his obvious dedication and efficiency, he’s dedicated himself to the struggle even if he wasn’t a constant in the team last season.

Like Maeda too, it’s not like he doesn’t boast the technical quality to match that letdown, having picked out the Japan international with a thrilling assist at Rugby Park in December.

Considering he may be available for a fine, the price of going down — like Maeda and his colleagues before him — this sounds like a no-brainer, especially since O’Neill is now on the door for good.

Of course, it has not shown a fruitful campaign in terms of recruitment in Glasgow, especially when entering the loan market, yet Saracchi must be considered one of the rare success stories of 2025/26.

Hopefully, there’s more to come.