Credit: Imago/Celtic FC X

Chris Smith

Fri 15 August 2025 14:23, UK

Celtic will be sweating further over the future of Daizen Maeda after missing out on the signing of Ben Doak from Liverpool.

Celtic 'ready to make Ben Doak promise' as hunt for Liverpool starlet heats up	Ben Doak given Celtic transfer guarantee with Arne Slot stance on Liverpool deal clear	Ben Doak closes in on Premier League transfer as Liverpool to net huge profit

Maeda has been the spearhead of Celtic‘s attack since joining from Yokohama F.

Marinos in January 2022, registering 62 goals and 29 assists in 160 appearances across all competitions — including 33 goals in 53 outings last season.

That form has sparked rumours that the Japan international could leave Parkhead this summer, with Premier League duo Brentford and Tottenham both linked with Maeda.

Celtic are unlikely to feel any better regarding Maeda’s possible departure following the latest update on Doak.

Doak is a product of Celtic’s youth system, but only made two senior appearances for the club before leaving for Liverpool at the same time Maeda arrived in Glasgow.

The Scotland international enjoyed a productive loan spell at Middlesbrough last season, registering three goals and seven assists in 24 Championship appearances.

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However, he’s been unable to break into the Liverpool side, making just 10 senior outings for the Reds so far.

Still only 19 years old, Doak’s talent is in no doubt, and now, he’ll get the chance to prove himself as he nears a £25million move to Bournemouth.

This will come as a blow to Celtic after they explored the possibility of re-signing Doak this summer.

Football Insider verdict

Daizen Maeda is a critical player for Celtic (Credit: Imago)

Doak’s move to Bournemouth takes another potential Maeda replacement off the table for Celtic, and arguably the ideal one, given his familiarity and boyhood ties to the club.

Now, Celtic might be best served putting all of their efforts into keeping hold of Maeda.

The 27-year-old still has two seasons left on his Celtic deal, so there is no need for them to be bullied by a Premier League outfit.

Celtic statsDaizen MaedaAppearances160Goals62Assists29Trophies8Daizen Maeda’s Celtic career stats

The Hoops have a Champions League campaign to look forward to if they can make it past Kazakh side Kairat Almaty in the final qualifying round.

What’s more, they begin their Scottish League Cup title defence against Falkirk on Friday, and have started well in the Premiership with six points from two games.

There is all the promise of another excellent season for the Glasgow giants, but losing someone of Maeda’s quality and importance has the potential to derail the campaign and allow arch-rivals Rangers back in with a sniff of regaining the Premiership title.
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