Deal for Norwegian winger ramped up, could Brendan really be looking at playing Daizen Maeda as a number nine?…

Sondre Orjasaeter of Norway during the UEFA European Under-21 Qualifier playoff football match between Norway and Finland on November 19, 2024 in Stavanger. Photo: Marius Simensen

According to reports Celtic have ramped up their interest in Norwegian Sondre Orjasaeter and sources in his homeland have said that the club are looking to secure a £7 million deal to bring the Sarpsborg winger in before the end of the transfer window.

With Jota already on board, bringing in another creative player would further enhance our squad, and Orjasaeter is a highly rated prospect with a number of clubs looking to secure his signature.

UPDATE: Following Celtic's offer for Sondre Ørjasæter, Sarpsborg sporting director Hampus Andersson has told @SkySportsNews: “Sondre is and has been a highly valued player for us.

"Our main goal is to not sell him this window and keep him for at least to the end of the season.” https://t.co/o0uF1buWH0

— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) January 28, 2025

Orjasaeter is a tricky, skilful winger

Orjasaeter is a tricky, skilful winger with great energy, he’s a typical Brendan Rodgers player so it’s no surprise we are looking to bring someone of his calibre on board. His club clearly don’t want to lose him and are looking at holding out until the summer at least, according to Anthony Joseph at Sky Sports who stated:

‘Following Celtic’s offer for Sondre Ørjasæter, Sarpsborg sporting director Hampus Andersson has told Sky Sports News: “Sondre is and has been a highly valued player for us. “Our main goal is to not sell him this window and keep him for at least to the end of the season.”

Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 08, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Brendan could deploy Maeda as a striker

But money talks in football and If a deal does get over the line it will raise doubts over bringing in another striker to replace Kyogo, in fact I’d say it would be most unlikely and Brendan will look instead to deploy Daizen Maeda in the central number nine role. Daizen has played as a striker for Japan at the last World Cup and the Celtic manager has spoken about his success in playing through the middle previously.

Marvin Keller saves from Adam Idah only for the ball to ricochet off Loris Bonito and go into the net for an own goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and BSC Young Boys at Celtic Park on January 22, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It works if you want to play Jota but can’t drop Kuhn or Maeda

Maybe Brendan wants Jota in his team but to play alongside Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda and that would mean that it could be centre-forward duties for Daizen going forward. Celtic did spend £9m on Adam Idah in the summer and with Kyogo away he has the chance to stand up and make that striker’s role his own.

While it would be a blow not to directly replace Kyogo, by sanctioning the signings of Orjasaeter along with Jota, the club have shown that they are backing the manager going forward.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy