Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Daizen Maeda following the Japanese forward’s outstanding 2024/25 campaign, during which he emerged as Celtic’s standout performer. Maeda netted an impressive 33 goals in 51 appearances, cementing his place as a central player in Rodgers’ side after a positional shift midway through the season.
The change in role came after the departure of Kyogo, with Maeda stepping into the striker’s position and thriving. His tireless work rate and goal return made him virtually undroppable during the run-in, as Celtic pushed on in domestic and European competition. His performances did not go unnoticed, with Rodgers giving him credit in the Sky Sports post-season documentary Celtic: Another Season in Paradise.
Naturally, such success has attracted interest. Reports in Turkey claim that Fenerbahçe are preparing a move for the Celtic forward, with talks believed to be taking place soon. The Turkish club are reportedly lining up a bid, with Maeda’s agent set to be involved in discussions. While Celtic are understood to be keen on tying Maeda down to a new deal, no extension has been agreed yet.
Maeda’s current contract runs for another two years, but he has flown to Japan to join his wife and newborn child, and Celtic will hope that the personal milestone marks the start of a positive new chapter, ideally with a contract extension agreed upon his return to Glasgow.
He said: (Sky Sports’ Celtic: Another Season in Paradise), “He has been brilliant. I think he has won every award going, and that tells you how good he has been.
“I think what you have with Daizen is that he is so adaptable. I think when I first saw him with Japan, he was playing as a striker. He played a lot there, for them.
“He played for me when I first came in for pre-season. I saw a first glimpse of him, in one of my teams, playing up front away in Yokohama, and he scored a hat-trick in that game.
“So, I knew at the back of my mind that he could play as a striker. But between both positions, he has been prolific. He would score goals from the wide area, and he will score goals centrally.
“It’s the other value that he gives the team, in terms of the pressing and the intensity. That’s a huge benefit for us.”
Celtic fans will be desperate for the club to hold on to a player who has so often been the difference-maker in big games. Whether operating from the wing or through the middle, Maeda’s energy and eye for goal have become key to how Rodgers’ side play.
While Fenerbahçe’s reported interest is not unexpected, Celtic’s response will be closely watched. Losing a player of Maeda’s level would be a massive blow, particularly without a ready-made replacement currently in the squad.
With two years left on his deal, Celtic still hold a strong position, but time will tell if that leads to a renewed contract or a major summer transfer. The next few weeks will prove huge in shaping the club’s forward line for next season.
For now, Maeda enjoys some well-earned family time back in Japan — but all eyes will be on whether he returns to Glasgow to sign on for the long term or to weigh up a move abroad.
