Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has conceded that he is resigned to losing star forwards Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels during the current summer transfer window, with the potential for a four-man exodus that could also include Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren. Speaking from Celtic's training camp in Portugal, O'Neill addressed the uncertain futures of several key squad members.
Maeda's Premier League Dream
Japan international Daizen Maeda, who has spent four-and-a-half years at Celtic, is eager to secure a move to the Premier League. The 28-year-old, who saw a lucrative transfer to Wolfsburg collapse last year, is entering the final year of his contract. O'Neill expressed a personal desire for Maeda to see out his deal but acknowledged the likelihood of his departure.
“I think there's some resignation in that aspect. 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,” O'Neill said. “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.”
The manager drew a comparison with Henrik Larsson, who announced his final season a year in advance and performed exceptionally. “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's what he was going to do. The only difference is that Maeda has a year left to run. It's not about finance; it's me personally. I'd love him to stay. I'm not sure that's going to happen.”
Engels Attracts Big-Money Interest
Arne Engels, another prized asset, is also expected to depart after Celtic rejected a staggering £25 million bid from Nottingham Forest on the winter deadline day. O'Neill anticipates renewed interest as the window progresses. “I would imagine so, yeah. At this minute, I don't think anything has happened. Some of these things carry on up towards the end of the window and then suddenly something happens,” he said.
He added: “I'm not saying we're not prepared for it, but you're not ready because it's happening too late. If, for instance, all those bids that Nottingham Forest made come in on the 11th hour. That was just a non-goer for us at that particular stage. If some things can happen a bit earlier, then maybe there's some resignation on my part.”
Hatate Seeks Fresh Challenge
Midfielder Reo Hatate, 28, who has been a peripheral figure despite his talent, is reportedly seeking a new challenge. O'Neill confirmed the playmaker's desire to explore options. “I think that Reo has done exceptionally well at the football club since he arrived. People have said he might even have been the best player in Scotland two or three years ago. I think myself that he's probably looking to maybe see if there's new pastures for him,” the manager said.
“I'd love to keep him at the football club. He's done brilliantly, and he's got a year left to run. But I said to him, if he left the football club, I would be obviously disappointed, but he couldn't have done any more for us. He really couldn't have done any more. And Reo himself, let's see what options might be around. But if nothing develops, I'd be very happy to keep him.”
Nygren's Future Uncertain
Sweden World Cup star Benjamin Nygren, who scored 21 goals in his debut season at Celtic, is also attracting interest. O'Neill did not rule out an exit for the goalscoring midfielder. “Yeah, his stats are very, very high, absolutely. So there's every possibility that something could happen there. We haven't had him yet, we haven't had the pleasure of his company for a day or two!”
