Celtic find themselves linked with several options in the hunt for a striker, but further movement to address their forward line may depend on outgoings, according to a report.
Celtic's mission to retain Daizen Maeda this summer
For the first time in a while, Celtic have an abundance of striking options, albeit it is hard to determine whether they have the quality that Brendan Rodgers requires to navigate another campaign where his side will hope to compete on multiple fronts.
Callum Osmand, Johnny Kenny, Adam Idah, and incoming new boy Shin Yamada have added variety in the final third. Still, there is no doubt that reflections on the summer window would be vastly altered if Daizen Maeda were to depart before the close of play.
Despite operating on the wing for most of his time in Glasgow, the Japan international played centrally on a frequent basis last season and rounded off a magnificent campaign with 33 goals across all competitions.
It always felt unlikely that he would last the duration of the market period without drawing attention, which has been the case amid interest from Leeds United, Brentford and others in his situation, albeit this came earlier on in proceedings.
Fenerbache have also been cited as admirers of Maeda and were known to be in the running. However, like many of Celtic’s high-profile departures, they tend to occur towards the end of the transfer window when clubs begin to realise they need to conduct business fast.
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The Bhoys generally follow a similar policy regarding new additions. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see this topic of conversation come to life again over the next few weeks, and reports suggest this saga may be far from complete.
Celtic line up potential contingency if Daizen Maeda were to depart
According to TEAMtalk, Celtic have set their sights on Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone as a potential replacement for Maeda, should the latter succumb to interest later in the window.
Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and West Ham United are reportedly monitoring his situation, while Brentford are clued in following their early groundwork on his unique profile.
Daizen Maeda in 2024/25 – all competitions
Appearances
51
Goals
33
Assists
12
Richard Kone in 2024/25 – all competitions
Appearances
52
Goals
21
Assists
5
Turning to the market, Celtic have identified Kone as a potential source of goals to replicate Maeda and scouted him on three occasions last season, even if a deal may prove tricky amid Wycombe’s stance on letting the Ivorian head elsewhere.
Setting out their stall, the third-tier outfit could demand £7 million for the Ivorian striker, which is said to be a figure the Bhoys are unwilling to pay unless they were to utilise funds generated by sales.
Brentford, Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Toulouse and Union Saint-Gilloise have been enticed by Kone, who managed to direct 40 of his 99 shots on target last season in League One.
Plates are beginning to spin for Celtic, but it is fair to say a fair level of complication stands in the way of being able to land the prolific 22-year-old, who has been labelled someone with a ‘huge amount of potential’ by West Ham insider ExWHUEmployee amid the Hammers’ interest in him.