Daizen Maeda says he sought exit as Celtic blocked move, deepening summer transfer row
Maeda revealed a transfer had been lined up but was halted by Celtic while manager Brendan Rodgers earlier said he would not keep unhappy players
Daizen Maeda has told reporters while on international duty with Japan that he asked to leave Celtic during the summer and that a move had been agreed but was stopped at the last minute by the club, a development that has intensified criticism of Celtic's transfer window and the club board.
The Japanese forward's revelation comes after manager Brendan Rodgers publicly said in January: "If a player doesn't want to be here, then go," and that the club should seek the best possible deal rather than keep a player who wants to leave. Maeda has not reproduced his best form this season, and the sequence of events has added to a tense atmosphere around the club.
Celtic issued an official statement after the close of the transfer window addressing reported inaccuracies in media coverage, mentioning UEFA financial regulations and describing the situation as "regrettable," but stopped short of accepting responsibility for the club's transfer activity. Supporters, frustrated by the board's handling of recruitment, have staged protests and been heard chanting "sack the board" at recent home matches.
Club sources have not publicly contradicted Maeda's account, and Rodgers' earlier remarks about not wanting dissatisfied players at the club have put the manager in an awkward position given the player's claims. Rodgers made his January comments in the context of speculation around Kyogo Furuhashi and a belief he has expressed previously about the risks of retaining wantaway players.
The circumstances have drawn comparisons with Celtic's summer of 2020, when the club retained Kristoffer Ajer and Odsonne Edouard amid transfer interest and subsequently lost ground in the title race. At that time Rangers, under Steven Gerrard, capitalised on Celtic's instability; supporters and some commentators have noted the similarity in instability and questioned whether rival clubs might again take advantage.
Celtic's recruitment during the most recent window has been widely criticised in media coverage and by sections of the fanbase. The club's statement referenced the complexities of complying with financial rules and the difficulty of completing deals, but it did not provide detailed explanations of why the reported move for Maeda was halted.
Maeda, 27, joined Celtic in 2022 and has been part of the first-team squad through Rodgers' two spells in charge. The forward's admission while on national team duty leaves questions over squad harmony and transfer policy ahead of the domestic campaign. Rodgers and Celtic face scrutiny over the club's ability to manage personnel and transfers without undermining the dressing room.
Supporters' discontent has been visible at recent matches, and pressure on the board has increased as calls for accountability grow louder. Celtic's hierarchy has not announced any personnel changes since the window closed. Club officials have said publicly that they will review their operations but have not released a timetable for any changes.
Rangers and other domestic rivals have started their league campaigns, and observers say the coming weeks will show whether Celtic's summer turmoil has tangible consequences on the field. Celtic have not formally commented on any approaches from other clubs for Maeda or the specifics of any proposed transfer.
European and domestic competition fixtures continue, and Celtic will return focus to competitive matches while questions about the closed transfer window and internal decision-making remain prominent among supporters, the media and football commentators.