Kelechi Iheanacho set to stay at Celtic as Daizen Maeda confirms exit plan

Kelechi Iheanacho’s future at Celtic has been debated throughout the final weeks of the season.

The striker is set to depart in the summer when his contract expires.

This is despite the Hoops attacker scoring numerous important goals in the final weeks of the season, including a late winner in the 3-2 victory against Motherwell on Wednesday.

However, now that Daizen Maeda has admitted his desire to play in the Premier League, Celtic will surely activate Iheanacho’s one-year contract extension.

Celtic are already at risk of losing multiple stars, and will surely ensure that some players remain at the club.

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Speaking to Japanese publication FootballZone, Maeda has now admitted that his goal is to play in the Premier League.

In one part of his interview, he said: “I want to take the next step and play in the Premier League, which has always been my goal. Right now, I’m grateful to Celticand I’m giving it my all.

“But I haven’t seen my limits yet. The Premier League is a dream I’ve been talking about since I was a kid. Even if it’s just for one year, I want to prove just how far my speed can take me at the highest level in the world.

“Staying injury-free and continuing to deliver results. If I can do that, the door to the Premier League and aWorld Cup run beyond the quarterfinals will surely come into view.

“I just keep running, believing in that. In the end, I think it’s best not to overthink things. I focus 100% on soccer when I’m on the pitch. But when I get home, I pick up my kids from school or give them a bath. That switch is just right for me right now.

“I’m different from the sharp-edged player I used to be—I believe I’m at my strongest right now.”

As a result, it is an inevitability that he will be sold in the summer transfer window.

Celtic will be aiming to get some money for the attacker, and with his contract expiring in 2027, this is their last chance to do it.

Therefore, this will make Iheanacho’s stay at Celtic inevitable.

The Hoops will not want to go into the summer transfer window with both of their first-team strikers out of the club, as this would put them under extra pressure to get deals done.

On top of this, it would put them in a terrible negotiating position to bring in potential strikers.

Hence, it is also an inevitability that Iheanacho’s contract is extended for another season.

Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Celtic are keeping tabs on Falkirk striker Barney Stewart ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old is being viewed as an option for the Hoops, and he is also attracting interest from West Bromwich Albion.

The youngster is Falkirk’s top goalscorer this season and netting eight goals in 17 Scottish Premiership matches.

This is despite him starting the campaign on loan at Dunfermline Athletic, where he ripped it up with eight goals in just 12 games.

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if Celtic can complete the signing over the course of the summer, with a potential bidding war now on the cards for Stewart.