The Daizen Maeda to Celtic transfer rumours have been doing the rounds for a while, as it has been suggested that the Hoops could be looking to sign him in January. And it is not hard to see why considering the Japanese star’s sensational form this season and the fact that he has already played under the management of Ange Postecoglou at Yokohama F. Marinos.

Celtic were always expected to make a move for J1 League stars in January. While signing players from there was always going to be difficult in the summer, the season will be over by January. And Maeda appears to be a player on the Hoops’ radar.

According to stats from Transfermarkt, he has scored 18 goals and provided 3 assists in 32 J1 League appearances this season. He is currently the leading goalscorer in the competition.

And as tweeted out by Marco Molla, who appears to have broken the Reo Hatate news earlier, Celtic are in official negotiations for Maeda:

Celtic appear to be in official negotiations for Maeda

Many believe that Maeda could be the perfect signing for Postecoglou’s style of football. He is incredibly fast, has great stamina, intelligent movement, is versatile and can finish with both his feet. In fact, it was the manager who brought him to Yokohama F. Marinos.

He mostly plays as a left winger or a second striker. And while Kyogo has done brilliantly since arriving in the summer, Celtic could definitely do with another consistent goalscorer at the moment. His versatility means that he could fit in at multiple positions and add fluidity to Postecoglou’s side going forward.

As a result, signing someone like Maeda would be considered as a tremendous coup on the part of Celtic. Now, it remains to be seen whether they can get a deal done for the in-form Japanese star.