Celtic talisman tipped to 'pep up' EPL side as transfer interest intensifies in Rangers figure

Maeda, 28, has had a major impact at Celtic since signing for the club in January 2022 from J-League outfit Yokohama F. Marinos, bagging 79 goals in 212 games across all competitions, and drove Martin O’Neill’s side to the title last season by scoring 12 times in the club’s final seven matches.

The Japanese international came close to a departure last summer when Bundesliga side Wolfsburg submitted a bid in the region of £20million, only for Celtic to pull out of the deal after being unable to source a replacement. However, with Maeda now about to enter the final year of his contract at Celtic Park, he made it clear that he is open to a move away from Parkhead this summer.

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Speaking in the aftermath of his country’s last-32 exit from the World Cup last month, he said: “I personally feel that I need to keep improving and take another step forward. It made me realise that I can't stay at my current level and that I need to become a better player,” said Maeda at the tournament in North America.

Linked with a move to Brentford and Everton in recent days, the energetic frontman has been urged to consider a move to the latter, with Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith saying he believes the addition of the Osaka-born hitman can help perk up David Moyes’ forward line and add another dimension to their attacking options.

“Well, Everton need pepping up, don’t they?” said Smith. “He’s a sharp player, got that experience up at Celtic, where he’s been there a while. So probably a bit more know-how, hasn’t he, than the likes of [Thierno] Barry and Beto. As a ten, he can play as a striker, he can play left, so he’s got that versatility.”

The former Arsenal striker also believes that Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin would be an ideal signing for English Premier League newcomers Hull City, amid their rumoured interest in the Belgium international. Currently away at the World Cup with his national side, the 25-year-old has been the subject of intense transfer speculation in recent months, with Real Betis, Bologna, Atalanta, Inter Milan and Hull all believed to be mulling over a big-money move this summer.

“Yeah, they need more bodies, more talent, more quality,” Smith told BestBettingsites.co.uk. “He only broke into the Belgium side last year. But he’s got an assist. He’s been wearing his national shirt, which will give him confidence. If he comes to Hull, he’ll be up against it. They’ll be losing most weekends. But certainly, Hull yeah, they need to be quite cute, don’t they, in their acquisitions? I don’t know how much money they’ve got to spend, but they need players with hunger and ability, which is not easy to get.”