Celtic might have to interchange considered one of their star gamers within the upcoming summer season switch window if Daizen Maeda completes a transfer away from Parkhead.
The Japan worldwide solely has one yr left to run on his present contract at Parkhead and has expressed a need to play in considered one of Europe’s main leagues, after a transfer to Wolfsburg collapsed final summer season.
When requested about his future just lately, the ahead stated that he’s “curious” to see whether or not or not the Hoops could be prepared to just accept a bid for his providers, with the choice being permitting him to depart on a free switch subsequent yr.
Maeda ended the 2025/26 marketing campaign with 17 objectives in 56 appearances in all competitions, together with scoring in each single sport after the cut up to win the Scottish Premiership for his aspect.
The Japanese ahead, who is ready to play on the World Cup this month, additionally scored 16 objectives in 34 appearances within the Premiership within the 2024/25 marketing campaign.
Celtic within the race to signal Ligue 2 centre-forward
It now stays to be seen whether or not or not Maeda’s purpose towards Dunfermline at Hampden Park within the SFA Cup remaining final month will turn into his final for the membership.
Martin O’Neill is ready to proceed as supervisor heading into the 2026/27 marketing campaign and he’s already reportedly eyeing a star who could be the dream substitute for Maeda.
Based on Foot Mercato, Celtic are considered one of numerous golf equipment focused on a deal to signal Rodez centre-forward Taïryk Arconte within the upcoming summer season switch window.
While O’Neill has not been formally confirmed to be staying, there may be clearly already work happening behind the scenes to establish targets for him this summer season and this Ligue 2 striker is being lined up.
The report claims that Ligue 1 aspect Auxerre and English Championship staff Millwall are additionally eyeing up a transfer for the 22-year-old marksman, offering the Hoops with loads of competitors for his signature.
It doesn’t reveal how a lot Rodez are set to demand for the Guadeloupe worldwide, although, so it stays to be seen whether or not or not it’s a financially viable deal for the Scottish giants to do.
Why Taïryk Arconte is ideal for Celtic
Celtic will want a goalscorer in the event that they lose Maeda this summer season as a result of he has scored 30 objectives within the final two league seasons for the Hoops, which is the very best tally throughout two seasons in his profession.
The Japanese star is in his prime as a goalscorer and that’s the reason Arconte could be the proper substitute for him, as a result of the Ligue 2 ace is coming off the again of a goal-laden yr.
He scored 14 objectives and three assists in 32 Ligue 2 video games for Rodez and simply missed out on promotion to Ligue 1, dropping on penalties to Saint-Étienne within the play-offs final month.
|
High scorers in 25/26 Ligue 2 |
|
|---|---|
|
Participant |
Targets |
|
Tawfik Bentayeb |
18 |
|
Louis Mafouta |
15 |
|
Thomas Robinet |
15 |
|
Taïryk Arconte |
14 |
|
Keito Nakamura |
14 |
Solely three gamers within the second tier of French soccer scored extra objectives than the Celtic goal this season, which speaks to how spectacular his goalscoring feats had been.
Maeda and Arconte each scored 14 league objectives this season, with the Hoops man lacking 23 ‘large possibilities’ and the Guadeloupe worldwide lacking 15 ‘large possibilities’. This implies that the Ligue 2 ace could also be much more medical in entrance of purpose.
The Rodez centre-forward appears to be like to be as prolific a scorer because the Japanese star, who’s at the moment in his prime, and that’s the reason he might be a improbable addition to O’Neill’s squad as an in-form quantity 9.
Arconte’s model of play can also be similar to Maeda’s. Kai Watson described him as a participant who’s “fast and performs totally on the shoulder”, while he additionally stated that the attacker could be an “splendid Daizen Maeda substitute” for Celtic this summer season.
Watching the 22-year-old star’s objectives for Rodez this season will present you the way comparable he’s to Maeda, working off the final line to make use of his tempo to generate possibilities for himself in entrance of purpose.
Due to this fact, Arconte might be the proper signing for O’Neill’s squad if he loses his present talisman as a consequence of his type, model of play, and age profile, as he has time left to develop and enhance on the age of twenty-two.
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Celtic are eyeing up a transfer for a midfield star who could be even higher than Arne Engels subsequent season.
