Former Celtic defender Johan Mjallby believes the club could fetch up to £50 million if they were to sell Daizen Maeda, amid growing admiration for the Japanese forward’s relentless work rate.
Maeda, who is under contract at Parkhead until the summer of 2027, has been a key figure in Brendan Rodgers’ side again this season. With 33 goals and 11 assists to his name across all competitions, but he could, and should, have added to his numbers in the dying seconds at Ibrox.
Speaking on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club, Mjallby suggested that if Celtic were to entertain offers, they could demand a record-breaking fee.
“I’m not an expert, but I would definitely say around £45-50m,” he said. “We were talking about Nicolas Kuhn at the start of the season when he had three, four good months, and it was around £25m. It’s never going to be £15m or £20m [for Maeda], it’s definitely going to be £25m plus.”
The valuation would put Maeda among the most expensive players ever sold by a Scottish club, eclipsing the likes of Jota, Matt O’Riley and Kieran Tierney. While there’s been some talk in recent weeks about the club opening renewal talks despite his current deal running until 2027, no announcements have been confirmed publicly.
Maeda’s missed chance at Ibrox in the final moments of the derby may have frustrated some, but the wider picture is clear—he remains one of Celtic’s most valuable and impactful players, both on and off the ball. With his tireless running and eye for goal, it’s no surprise Mjallby believes the club could name their price if suitors come calling.
