Key Points
- Japanese international forward Daizen Maeda has completed his medical at Portman Road ahead of an impending £10 million transfer from Celtic to Ipswich Town.
- The agreed fee consists of an initial £8 million guaranteed payment alongside £2 million in potential performance-based add-ons.
- Former Celtic striker and broadcaster Chris Sutton has publicly criticised the timing and valuation of the deal, describing the fee as “buttons” and labeling the transfer a “bad deal for all involved.”
- The transfer leaves Celtic searching for offensive replacements with just over a week remaining before their Scottish Premiership campaign begins at home to Dundee.
- Celtic face crucial UEFA Champions League play-off fixtures next month, raising internal and fan concerns regarding squad depth ahead of European qualification.
Celtic FC (Glasgow Express) July 25, 2026 –As reported by Sky Sports News and confirmed by TWTD, 28-year-old forward Daizen Maeda has officially completed his medical tests at Ipswich Town ahead of a structured £10 million transfer from Scottish Champions Celtic. The agreement between the two clubs involves a guaranteed base fee of £8 million with an additional £2 million structured in performance-related add-ons. Final formalisation and announcement of the deal are anticipated within the next 24 hours, after which Maeda will link up with his new squad following their pre-season training camp in La Manga.
Maeda had entered the final 12 months of his contract at Celtic Park, having originally joined the club from Yokohama F.
Marinos in January 2022. During his four-and-a-half-year tenure in Glasgow, the Japanese international established himself as a core figure in Celtic’s attack, accumulating 212 appearances (182 starts and 30 substitute outings) while scoring 79 goals. His contribution helped Celtic secure five Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups, and two Scottish League Cups.
Why Has Chris Sutton Scrutinised the Transfer Timeline and Fee?
As reported by journalist Michael Gannon of the Daily Record, former Celtic forward and media pundit Chris Sutton expressed strong disagreement with Celtic’s handling of the transaction.
Writing in his daily column and sharing comments via his social media platform on X, Sutton raised significant concerns regarding the departure timeline and financial valuation.
As reported by the Daily Record, Sutton stated:
“I know Celtic were resigned to him leaving, but unless the offer was totally ridiculous, they should have stood firm and said he wasn’t leaving until AFTER the qualifier. Ten million pounds at that point, you’d think fair enough – if he’d helped deliver a place in the group stages. That’s what happened in the past with the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Moussa Dembele. But it just seems baffling.”
Furthermore, as documented by OneFootball, Sutton argued that the overall transfer sum does not reflect Maeda’s actual market value or importance to Celtic’s system, particularly given prior interest from overseas clubs. During the summer 2025 transfer window, Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg submitted a £14 million bid for Maeda, which Celtic subsequently turned down.
As reported by OneFootball, Sutton added:
“Maeda is worth much more than £10 million and will find himself playing Championship football the following season. Bad deal for Celtic and Maeda…”
How Does Maeda’s Departure Affect Celtic’s Squad and European Ambitions?
The departure of Maeda creates an immediate operational challenge for Celtic’s chief executive Michael Nicholson and the club’s recruitment committee.
Celtic open their 2026–27 Scottish Premiership title defence against Dundee at Celtic Park in just over a week’s time, followed shortly by pivotal UEFA Champions League play-off ties.
Celtic’s attacking department has experienced substantial turnover over recent transfer windows. In January 2025, Celtic sanctioned the sale of fellow Japanese talisman Kyogo Furuhashi—who has since joined Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy following a brief stint at Birmingham City.
Crucially, attacking recruitment during the current summer window has been limited to the arrival of forward Camilo Duran, leaving management with minimal time to recruit a high-intensity replacement for Maeda’s output.
What Is the Background of the Particular Development After the News?
The background to this development stems from a broader policy shift within Celtic’s long-term roster management. Maeda’s contract situation—entering its final year in June 2026—placed Celtic in a delicate position where the board risks losing senior assets on free transfers if extensions are not agreed.
Reports indicate that while Celtic hierarchy resisted summer interest in 2025 to retain squad continuity, the player’s expressed desire to test himself in the English Premier League ultimately prompted the club to facilitate terms once Ipswich Town met their threshold.
Simultaneously, Ipswich Town under manager Gary O’Neil have actively restructured their squad following structural changes in their football executive leadership.
By targeting Maeda’s high-pressing metrics and defensive work rate from the front, Ipswich aim to strengthen their frontline press ahead of a demanding Premier League season.
How Will This Development Affect Celtic, Ipswich Town, and the Supporters?
For Celtic and their fanbase, the transaction introduces heightened competitive risk ahead of European qualifiers. Qualification for the UEFA Champions League proper carries a multi-million pound financial yield that far exceeds the net proceeds of an £8 million initial transfer fee.
If Celtic fail to secure adequate replacements before the play-off round, executive management faces potential backlash from supporters who view the sale as premature before securing European group stage football.
For Ipswich Town, Maeda provides immediate top-flight experience, European pedigree, and intense defensive pressing capability. However, as highlighted by pundits, Ipswich enter the campaign among the prospective battle candidates at the lower end of the table.
The success of the move relies heavily on whether Gary O’Neil can integrate Maeda quickly to secure Premier League survival and prevent potential relegation risks.
