Ipswich in for Daizen, despite Martin’s wishes, he knows it’s now only a matter of time before the Japanese international and Celtic talisman moves on…
EPL new boys Ipswich Town have made a move to land want away Celtic star Daizen Maeda.
Daizen hasn’t made a secret of his desire to try his luck in one of the top five leagues, and Ipswich who are splashing the cash in a bid to make an impact on their return to the English top flight, are leading the queue to grant him that wish.
Indeed, Daizen spoke openly on the subject not so long ago. The Japanese international said: “I’ve always said that I want to play in the Premier League. In terms of timing (for a transfer), I think this is the right time. But you never know what will happen.”
Martin O’Neill remains keen to see Maeda run down his contract, and spoke recently over his desire to see the Japan international stay put. The Irishman recently commented: “I think there’s some resignation in that aspect,” he said as he discussed the possibility of losing Maeda.
“It isn’t one of those where he’s got a year left to run and we want to try and make something of it in the sense of getting money. It’s not that at all. Personally speaking, I would love it if he just let his contract run through. And played for the last year.
“Honestly, it would be super. I don’t know whether that’s in his mind or in his agent’s mind. If I throw back, not every comparison has been made, but Henrik Larsson told me a year before that that was going to be his last year.
“Now, his contract was out at that stage and he was fantastic for us in the final season. But he made it clear that that’s what he was going to do. He had his time. Now, the only difference between that is that he’s got a year left to run. That’s all.
“But it’s not one of us trying to make as much out of it in terms of finance. It’s me, personally. I’d love him to stay. I’m not sure that that’s going to happen.”
UPDATE: Ipswich Town have held talks to sign Celtic forward Daizen Maeda.
It’s understood the clubs discussed the conditions of a possible deal and the Hoops are awaiting a formal offer.
(w/@SahilJaidka & @skysports_sheth) pic.twitter.com/9JcnEVBnU1 https://t.co/LtZDaazjWS
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) July 20, 2026
But Martin O’Neill knows deep down that he’s fighting a losing battle, and it looks as if it’s only a matter of time before Daizen moves on, with Ipswich Town now at the front of the queue.
Daizen had agreed a deal to move to Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg last August only for Celtic to put the brakes on the £10m transfer at the eleventh hour due to the board’s failure to secure a replacement for Kyogo, who had been sold in the closing days of the January transfer window.
Ironically enough Kyogo is now being tipped for a Celtic return this summer. Daizen has done his time at Celtic and has been an outstanding servant for the club. He deserves his move and Celtic should certainly not stand in his way or make it difficult to happen by haggling for a higher price. Daizen has earned his chance to play in the Premier League. Let him go with our best wishes.
𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐞𝐝𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 🍀🇯🇵
Maeda returns to Kawasaki FC, the club he played for as a kid for a special surprise visit.
𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧, 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐞’𝐥𝐥… pic.twitter.com/0oCy4ZFcUg
— 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 🍀 (@CelticEssential) July 20, 2026
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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1 Comment
Hes still a celt till the fees etc a d know way they will let his contract run out Martin Srood