Transfer Latest: Celtic line up January deal for Yokohama F. Marinos striker Daizen Maeda, according to The Times

We’ve not even reached Halloween yet but the January transfer rumours have started in earnest. Yesterday Celtic were linked with a January move for Brazilian defensive midfielder Fernando Henrique with ge.globo.com reporting that Celtic have enquired about the 20 year old Grêmio with a view to a £3m January move.

If that’s a bit left-field for your transfer rumour tastes – and let’s face it Celtic have had little luck signing Brazilians – today’s rumour seems much more likely to be closer to the mark. Celtic have once again been linked with a move for Yokohama F. Marinos striker Daizen Maeda who obviously knows his old boss Ange Postecoglou very well indeed.

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – JULY 28: Daizen Maeda #9 of Team Japan celebrates after scoring their side’s fourth goal during the Men’s Group A match between France and Japan on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at International Stadium Yokohama on July 28, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Ange has made no secret of his intentions to be pro-active early doors in the January transfer window and has explained that he intends to return to Japan in January as their J_League will be in the close season then so signing players should be easier in that window as our summer transfer window coincides with the J-League’s mid-season.

#CelticFC are confident of adding a second #Japanese star, Daizen #Maeda, in the January transfer window to join #Kyogo Furuhashi. Forward Maeda has enjoyed a brilliant season with #YokohamaFMarinos, the club #Postecoglou left in June to come to Celtic.https://t.co/tNhg2RO2bC pic.twitter.com/9zIKtboybo

— Robert Smith (@OnyaDon) October 22, 2021

And having played Angeball football at Yokohama F. Marinos Daizen Maeda should fit in very nicely to the Celtic playing system under Postecoglou. Ange recently said at a Mainstream Media Conference, as reported by Scottish Sun: “That (Japan) is one of the markets we will be looking at.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – JUNE 17: Ayase Ueda and Daizen Maeda of Japan wait for corner kick during game as part of Copa America Brazil 2019 at Morumbi Stadium on June 17, 2019 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Alessandra Cabral/Getty Images)

“Obviously I know it well and they will get to the end of their season which is a good time if there’s anyone who will fit into our set-up. We will be looking everywhere. The last window was frantic.

“This time we want to make sure that we are planning well in advance. We have already identified targets and begun discussions before we get to January so that we can conclude deals a lot quicker than we did in the previous window.”

AL WAKRAH, QATAR – NOVEMBER 25: Daizen Maeda of Yokohama F.Marinos in action during the AFC Champions League Group H match between Shanghai SIPG and Yokohama F.Marinos at the Al Janoub Stadium on November 25, 2020 in Al Wakrah, Qatar. (Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images)

Today’s report is based on a claim in The Times that well-placed sources in Japan expect a deal taking Daizen Maeda to Celtic in January. Sketchy maybe but very believable this one.

Celtic are confident of adding a second Japanese star, Daizen Maeda, in the January transfer window. With Kyogo Furuhashi having made an explosive start to life in Scotland, manager Ange Postecoglou has already stated that the J-League is a market to which he intends to return.

Well-placed sources in Japan expect a deal to be done for Maeda, a 24-year-old forward who has enjoyed a brilliant season with Yokohama F Marinos, the club Postecoglou left in June to come to Celtic himself.

Reports The Times.