Ipswich Town in talks with Celtic for Japan forward Daizen Maeda

Published Jul 20, 10:30 PM UTC

Multiple media outlets, including the Scottish Sun and Sky Sports Scotland, report that Ipswich Town has held talks with Celtic regarding a potential transfer for Japanese forward Daizen Maeda. No formal offer has been made yet, but Ipswich is eager to reach an agreement quickly. Maeda's contract expires next summer, and Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has admitted he may leave before the new Scottish Premiership season. The 28-year-old primarily plays left wing but can operate across the front line. He has been with Celtic since 2022, winning five Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish FA Cups, and two Scottish League Cups. Maeda has 30 caps for Japan and scored the opening goal against Sweden in 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He is the second Japanese player Ipswich has shown interest in this summer; the club continues negotiations with free agent Hidemasa Morita, formerly of Sporting CP. Ipswich is also finalizing transfers for Abdul Fatawu (£20m), Issa Diop (£8.5m), Kayne van Oevelen (£3.4m), and is in talks for Kjell Scherpen.