Celtic are now willing to sell Daizen Maeda with Nottingham Forest and Fulham not willing
Celtic have made it clear they want Daizen Maeda, amid interest from Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Fulham.
Maeda was called up to Japan’s World Cup squad after their 2025-26 campaign, and the player scored one goal in three games, as his side bowed out in the round of 32 after losing 2-1 to Brazil.
To be honest, it was a difficult game at the start for Japan, who managed to take the lead against Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but the Celtic star was unable to do anything before being replaced by Koki Ogawa before injury time.
That said, the 28-year-old has impressed at club level over the past five seasons, amassing 79 goals and 38 assists in 212 appearances for the Scottish club, which shows he is now ready for the Premier League.
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Football FanCast verdict |
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Honesty |
Forest struggled to find attacking space at times last season, with 12 of their 48 Premier League goals coming in their last five games. With that in mind, Oliver Glasner may be looking to improve his forward line. |
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Finance |
Celtic are expected to want £15m – £20m for the Japan international, which should be more than Tricky Trees can afford, given they reportedly raised £116m for the sale of Elliot Anderson to Manchester City. |
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Understanding |
The versatile striker can play on both flanks and in midfield as a striker. Last season, he scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions, with Chris Sutton describing him as “the most powerful player in the world” in January last year. |
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Impact |
Forest may need to reshape their attack this summer, with Arnaud Kalimuendo scoring just two goals in 14 games before being sent out on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt. Midfielder Dilane Bakwa also failed to do what he wanted, registering two assists and no goals in 14 Premier League games. |
Forest and Fulham could fight for Daizen Maeda
According to a report from Puribets (via Chosun Daily), Nottingham Forest and Fulham are now set to battle for Maeda’s signature, with both Premier League sides expressing interest.
The £15m – £20m price tag set by Celtic is considered reasonable, and English sides are already lining up to secure his signature, with Everton and Brentford also named as potential suitors.
Daizen Maeda could have a huge impact on the Premier League
Maeda proved himself at the big stage by scoring a goal during Japan’s 1-1 draw with Sweden at the World Cup, and has been one of Celtic’s key players since arriving from Yokohama F. Marinos back in 2021.
Perhaps most impressive is the Japanese star’s 30-game haul with 16 goals and 10 assists in 34 Scottish Premiership games in the 2024-25 season, with the Hoops winning the Scottish Premiership title.
In fact, during the same campaign, the former Yokohama F. Marinos man scored four goals and provided one assist in nine Champions League games, highlighting that he has what it takes to perform at the highest level.
With Bakwa failing to perform well in his first season at the City Ground, Forest could bring in another striker, and Maeda could be the best player in Glasner’s squad.
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Tricky Trees aims to support its new boss.
