Balikwisha set to leave Celtic with three clubs interested

Celtic winger Daizen Maeda has emerged as a prime target for departure, with three clubs preparing moves for the Japanese international as the Scottish Premiership champions shift their focus toward reinforcing their goalkeeping department. Maeda, who joined Celtic from Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2022, has made 89 appearances for the Glasgow club across all competitions, contributing significantly to their domestic success. The 25-year-old's potential exit comes as Celtic management identifies strengthening between the posts as a critical priority for their upcoming campaign, particularly following their consistent challenges in European competition.

Maeda's performances have attracted considerable attention from rival clubs seeking creative attacking reinforcement. Since arriving in Scotland, the winger has demonstrated his versatility across the front line, registering 12 goals and 14 assists during his tenure at Parkhead. Celtic's pursuit of a new goalkeeper reflects their ambitions to elevate their European Champions League performances, where goalkeeper consistency has proven pivotal in recent seasons. The Scottish champions finished their last domestic campaign with 104 points, demonstrating their quality domestically while acknowledging the need for squad enhancement to compete at continental level.

The club's recruitment strategy signals a deliberate rebalancing of resources toward defensive stability and shot-stopping capability. If completed, Maeda's departure would free up significant wages while providing funds for Celtic's goalkeeping search, potentially including experienced Premier League options. The winger's exit timeline remains fluid, though interested clubs expect developments within the coming weeks. Celtic's ability to negotiate favorable terms will directly impact their capacity to secure their primary transfer targets and maintain competitive depth across all defensive positions heading into the new season.