Daizen Maeda has reiterated his desire to leave Celtic this summer, with the forward's sights firmly set on a crack at the English Premier League. The 28-year-old dropped the bombshell news that he wants a transfer elsewhere in the days leading up to the Hoops title decider against Hearts on the final day of last season, and links with several top teams down south including Everton and Brentford have not gone away.
World Cup Involvement and Contract Situation
Maeda featured in three of Japan's four matches at the World Cup, scoring in the group stage draw before the Blue Samurai were knocked out in the last 32 phase with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Brazil. The former Yokohama F. Marinos man is now enjoying time off before reporting back to Lennoxtown for pre-season with the Hoops. He is into the final year of his contract at Parkhead.
Autobiography Unveiling and Transfer Intentions
At a press conference to officially unveil his first autobiography titled 'Gamble: Why Am I Running So Much?', Maeda once again firmly made his transfer intentions clear. He said: "I've always said that I want to play in the Premier League, but I think I'll just play wherever I am. In terms of timing (for a transfer), I think this is the right time. But you never know what will happen... Of course, I've been saying ever since I went to Celtic that I want to play in the Premier League."
He added: "But it's difficult because I'm 28 years old, and when I talk to people, it's kind of a 'hmm' feeling. But you never know what kind of offer will come. But no matter which team it is, I think I'll just keep going."
Celtic's Attacking Reinforcements
The Premiership champions have bolstered their attacking options with the £6million capture of FK Qarabag striker Camilo Duran. Boss O'Neill has also confirmed they are in talks to extend Kelechi Iheanacho's stay at Parkhead, although the Nigeria international also has options in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.
