28 Apr 2026 09:09 BST |
4 min read
Celtic interim boss Martin O’Neill has admitted that Daizen Maeda may be sold during the upcoming summer transfer window if he refuses to sign a new contract at the club.
Maeda’s current deal with the Scottish giants is due to expire in 2027 and he has been tipped to finally secure an exit ahead of next season.
The Japan international was widely expected to leave Celtic Park for Wolfsburg last year and it’s understood that he even said goodbye to his team-mates before the proposed move collapsed at the final hurdle.
A transfer is, however, likely to take place when the 2026 summer window opens in June, with Celtic set to sanction a sale in order to avoid losing him on a Bosman deal next year.
Maeda netted a brace during Celtic’s 3-1 win over Falkirk on Saturday, taking him to 11 goals in all competitions so far this season, but the Hoops will likely be required to sign a replacement for the 28-year-old this summer as a sale is set to be permitted.
Daizen Maeda transfer message
Speaking to The Herald about Maeda, interim head coach O’Neill admitted: “He’s got one more year. That would be something [new contract] the club, and he would have to be talking about.
“If he didn’t want to stay any longer, then that would be a choice for the football club to try and sell him with a year left to run. I just assume that would be the normal thing.
“But he’s come back to a bit of form, which is great. And I’ll look short-term at this minute and see how he can cope with the next five games.”
O’Neill added: “I think there were contract talks with him… was it last August time or was it the time before that? I do know that there were talks and there was a contract in front of him, which he didn’t sign at the time.
“I don’t know the position now. Wolfsburg were coming in for him and it didn’t materialise. I think obviously he became a bit despondent because it was a chance for him to play in the Bundesliga.
“So that didn’t happen. Maybe his head was all over the place for a while, but he has certainly settled down. But in terms of what’s happening in the future, I don’t know.”
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Five players who could leave Celtic this summer
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