Despite there still being seven matches left to play in the Scottish Premiership, Celtic will already have one eye on what they want to do in the upcoming summer transfer window.
That is evidenced by the recent transfer rumours linking the Scottish giants with interest in signing players in a host of different positions for whomever replaces Martin O’Neill in the dugout.
For example, Celtic are reportedly battling Rangers to sign Kilmarnock and Scotland central midfielder David Watson when his contract expires at his club at the end of June.
The Hoops have also been linked with Plymouth Argyle centre-forward Bim Pepple, who has scored 15 goals in all competitions this season, to potentially bolster their frontline.
Celtic may be in the market for several new attackers this summer because Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu may return to their parent clubs, whilst Daizen Maeda has been linked with a move away from Parkhead.
The latest on Daizen Maeda’s future at Celtic
The Japan international’s current contract at the club is due to expire at the end of the 2026/27 campaign, which means that the club have a big decision to make this summer.
Football Insider reported last month that the feeling behind the scenes is that there is ‘no chance’ that the versatile forward will put pen to paper on a new deal at Parkhead.
The outlet added that Celtic are willing to cash in on him this summer, should any offers come in for his services, as the Japanese star is said to be keen to explore a new challenge away from Glasgow.
Maeda has only scored seven goals from 12.22 xG in the Scottish Premiership this season, struggling badly in front of goal, and it may be the right time for both parties to part ways with each other.
His exit from Parkhead this summer would also open the door for Celtic to bring in a new superstar to lead the team’s attack, and they have been linked with a forward who could be their best signing since Jota.
Celtic could land their best signing since Jota
It is hard to argue against Jota being the best signing for the Hoops in recent years because they initially signed him from Benfica for £6.5m in 2022, before selling him to Al Ittihad for £25m a year later.
Celtic’s most expensive sales of all time
Celtic have let some of their finest talents move for big money in the past.
The Portuguese winger also scored 21 goals and provided 21 assists in his two seasons in the Premiership, including his year on loan, before being sold for a club-record fee.
Now, Celtic could land their best signing since they bought Jota for the first time by swooping for Motherwell attacker Tawanda Maswanhise this summer, after being interested in his services in January.
The Zimbabwe international has been on fire in the Premiership this season and could arrive at Parkhead as the perfect replacement for Maeda, whilst also being an upgrade on the Japanese forward.
Maswanhise has plundered 17 goals from 12.81 xG in the Premiership. This means that he has scored more than twice as many goals as Maeda, despite having similar xG.
The Motherwell star, who scored 22 goals in all competitions, has been far more efficient in front of goal than Maeda and has proven that he can score goals efficiently and consistently in the Premiership, which means that Celtic would be signing a proven talent.
As was the case with Jota when they signed him permanently after a year on loan, Maswanhise would arrive at Parkhead as a player who has already shown that he can deliver exceptional performances in Scotland.
|
25/26 Premiership |
Maswanhise |
Maeda |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
29 |
29 |
|
xG |
12.81 |
12.22 |
|
Goals |
17 |
7 |
|
Goals per game |
0.6 |
0.2 |
|
Big chances missed |
13 |
22 |
He has significantly outperformed Maeda at the top end of the pitch in the division, scored ten more goals whilst missing nine fewer ‘big chances’, and would improve the team’s attack by replacing him next season.
At the age of 23, Maswanhise is also still a young player with room and years ahead of him to grow and develop, which means that there is scope for him to be sold on for a profit in the future.
This means that the 21-goal star could be the club’s best signing since Jota by joining as a proven star who could provide outstanding output in the final third before being sold for big money further down the line.
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