---
title: "Celtic: Kieran Devlin’s response to Daizen Maeda transfer links"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-kieran-devlins-response-to-daizen-maeda-transfer-links/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-10-31T11:45:40Z"
modified: "2021-10-31T11:45:40Z"
---

# Celtic: Kieran Devlin’s response to Daizen Maeda transfer links

**Reliable Celtic reporter [Kieran Devlin](https://theathletic.co.uk/2916448/2021/10/29/celtic-score-livingston-premiership/?article_source=search&search_query=celtic) has answered a question on rumours linking Yokohama F. Marinos forward Daizen Maeda with a move to Parkhead.**

### The Lowdown: Celtic confident…

A report earlier this month from [The Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/celtic-manager-ange-postecoglou-lines-up-reunion-with-daizen-maeda-hqf7xzr0x) suggested that the Hoops are confident of securing the 24-year-old’s services in the January transfer window.

Maeda currently plies his trade with Ange Postecoglou’s former employers and is under contract until [2024](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daizen-maeda/profil/spieler/420931), but well-placed [Japanese sources](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/celtic-manager-ange-postecoglou-lines-up-reunion-with-daizen-maeda-hqf7xzr0x) expect a move to Scotland to go through.

He netted [18](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daizen-maeda/leistungsdaten/spieler/420931) times and registered [three](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daizen-maeda/leistungsdaten/spieler/420931) assists in [31](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daizen-maeda/leistungsdaten/spieler/420931) J1 League appearances last season, and Devlin has now weighed in with what he knows about a potential move.

\[freshpress-poll id=”378170″\]

### The Latest: Devlin’s response…

The journalist conducted a Q&A on [The Athletic](https://theathletic.co.uk/2916448/2021/10/29/celtic-score-livingston-premiership/?article_source=search&search_query=celtic) on Saturday morning ahead of Celtic’s clash with Livingston.

He was asked about the links to Maeda, to which he replied: “They are credible, yes. Unless something dramatic happens that will need addressing, Monday’s article will be a tactical profile of Maeda and how he might fit in at Celtic.”

Devlin then went on to label Maeda as a possible [‘upgrade’](https://theathletic.co.uk/2916448/2021/10/29/celtic-score-livingston-premiership/?article_source=search&search_query=celtic) on a player like Liel Abada and hailed the Japan international’s ‘very quick, great movement’, describing him as a ‘tireless worker off the ball’.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”375302″\]

### The Verdict: Over to Nicholson…

Celtic appear to be confident of bringing Maeda to Glasgow in the New Year, so it looks as if it’ll be over to interim CEO Michael Nicholson to get a deal over the line, with the club having [no director of football or head of recruitment](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/graeme-mathie-spotted-celtic-park-25283332) in place.

Following Saturday’s performance, with a front three of Giorgos Giakoumakis, Jota and Abada firing [blanks](https://www.sofascore.com/livingston-celtic/cXsgX) against Livingston, a move for the 24-year-old appears to be even more important.

The Hoops can’t rely on Furuhashi in every single game, so adding Maeda – who can play [centrally or out wide](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daizen-maeda/profil/spieler/420931) and has an impressive goalscoring record in the last 12 months – could be a wise move.

***In other news: [‘People I speak to’ – Devlin shares ‘incredibly odd’ Celtic situation Ange now needs to resolve.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-kieran-devlin-addresses-boli-bolingoli-situation/)***