Celtic ready to open talks to sign £8.5m star

One of the biggest challenges facing Celtic‘s board in the upcoming summer transfer window will be keeping hold of star attacker Daizen Maeda.

The Hoops turned down the chance to sell him to German side Wolfsburg last summer, and it has now been revealed that he would be interested in a move to the Premier League next season.

Maeda only has one year left on his current contract at Parkhead and the upcoming window may be the club’s last chance to recoup a decent transfer fee for his services.

The Japan forward ended the 2025/26 campaign with 17 goals and ten assists in 54 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants, scoring in every game after the split and in the SFA Cup final against Dunfermline.

His exceptional end to the season could attract suitors from across the globe and it looks to be a difficult task to convince him to stay in Glasgow for another year.

Celtic ready to hold talks to sign Premier League talent

One way that the Hoops could attempt to persuade Maeda to stay at the club, though, could be to show ambition in the transfer market by splashing the cash on new signings.

The Scottish Premiership champions are now reportedly eyeing a move for a star whose addition to the squad in the off-season could play a role in Maeda’s future.

According to the Daily Record, Celtic are interested in a deal to bring Julian Araujo back to Parkhead on another loan or a permanent deal in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that they are understood to be prepared to hold talks with Premier League side Bournemouth over another move for the Mexico international.

It adds, though, that Celtic are considering their options in that position and that the Cherries may hold out, as there are other clubs circling the full-back.

Araujo is set to go to the World Cup with Mexico next month and the Premier League team may want to see how he performs on the grand stage before they cash in on him.

How signing Julian Araujo could help Celtic to keep Daizen Maeda

Pushing to strike a deal for the Mexican star, who joined Bournemouth from Barcelona for £8.5m, could play a role in keeping Maeda at Parkhead, as it would show the forward that the club mean business this summer.

Proving to the Japan international that the club are willing to invest in the squad to build a team that can be more competitive on the European stage could help to convince him to pen a new contract in Glasgow.

That is why Maeda would love the Hoops to sign Araujo, who could cost a fee similar to the one that the Cherries paid for him, as he impressed on loan.

In ten league appearances on loan with the Scottish giants, the Mexico international caught the eye with the quality that he brought to the pitch on and off the ball.

Araujo is a reliable defender, rarely making costly errors, and has the ability on the ball as a passer to be important in build-up play, whilst he also scored a stunning goal to win the game against Kilmarnock.

The 24-year-old talent, who Bournemouth chief Neill Blake claimed has “high potential”, is heading into the prime years of his career and could be a fantastic signing to compete with Alistair Johnston, who has had his own injury issues, next season and beyond.

Celtic need a deep and strong squad to compete in Europe, which is why they need to invest money in quality competition, and bringing Araujo in would leave Martin O’Neill or his replacement with a very strong right-back stable.

Maeda, therefore, would love this signing for the Hoops because it would be a show of ambition from the club and prove that they are willing to spend money to build a competitive team around him.

That does not mean that the sole signing of Araujo would be enough to convince the Japanese star to sign a new contract with Celtic, but it would be a strong start to a crucial summer window for the club.

The Hoops need to bolster the squad if they want to finally compete for European glory and to persuade their best stars to stay, and the signing of the Mexico international would be a good step in the right direction.