O’Neil lining up move to sign 14-goal star for Celtic

Celtic may have to replace one of their star players in the upcoming summer transfer window if Daizen Maeda completes a move away from Parkhead.

The Japan international only has one year left to run on his current contract at Parkhead and has expressed a desire to play in one of Europe’s major leagues, after a move to Wolfsburg collapsed last summer.

When asked about his future recently, the forward said that he is “curious” to see whether or not the Hoops would be willing to accept a bid for his services, with the alternative being allowing him to leave on a free transfer next year.

Maeda ended the 2025/26 campaign with 17 goals in 56 appearances in all competitions, including scoring in every single game after the split to win the Scottish Premiership for his side.

The Japanese forward, who is set to play at the World Cup this month, also scored 16 goals in 34 appearances in the Premiership in the 2024/25 campaign.

Celtic in the race to sign Ligue 2 centre-forward

It now remains to be seen whether or not Maeda’s goal against Dunfermline at Hampden Park in the SFA Cup final last month will turn out to be his last for the club.

Martin O’Neill is set to continue as manager heading into the 2026/27 campaign and he is already reportedly eyeing a star who would be the dream replacement for Maeda.

According to Foot Mercato, Celtic are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Rodez centre-forward Taïryk Arconte in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Whilst O’Neill has not been officially confirmed to be staying, there is clearly already work going on behind the scenes to identify targets for him this summer and this Ligue 2 striker is being lined up.

The report claims that Ligue 1 side Auxerre and English Championship team Millwall are also eyeing up a move for the 22-year-old marksman, providing the Hoops with plenty of competition for his signature.

It does not reveal how much Rodez are set to demand for the Guadeloupe international, though, so it remains to be seen whether or not it is a financially viable deal for the Scottish giants to do.

Why Taïryk Arconte is perfect for Celtic

Celtic will need a goalscorer if they lose Maeda this summer because he has scored 30 goals in the last two league seasons for the Hoops, which is the best tally across two seasons in his career.

The Japanese star is in his prime as a goalscorer and that is why Arconte would be the perfect replacement for him, because the Ligue 2 ace is coming off the back of a goal-laden year.

He scored 14 goals and three assists in 32 Ligue 2 games for Rodez and just missed out on promotion to Ligue 1, losing on penalties to Saint-Étienne in the play-offs last month.

Only three players in the second tier of French football scored more goals than the Celtic target this season, which speaks to how impressive his goalscoring feats were.

Maeda and Arconte both scored 14 league goals this season, with the Hoops man missing 23 ‘big chances’ and the Guadeloupe international missing 15 ‘big chances’. This suggests that the Ligue 2 ace may be even more clinical in front of goal.

The Rodez centre-forward looks to be as prolific a scorer as the Japanese star, who is currently in his prime, and that is why he could be a fantastic addition to O’Neill’s squad as an in-form number nine.

Arconte’s style of play is also very similar to Maeda’s. Kai Watson described him as a player who is “rapid and plays mostly on the shoulder”, whilst he also said that the attacker would be an “ideal Daizen Maeda replacement” for Celtic this summer.

Watching the 22-year-old star’s goals for Rodez this season will show you how similar he is to Maeda, running off the last line to use his pace to generate chances for himself in front of goal.

Therefore, Arconte could be the perfect signing for O’Neill’s squad if he loses his current talisman due to his form, style of play, and age profile, as he has time left to develop and improve at the age of 22.