Tottenham receive surprise boost to land a lethal goalscorer from the Scottish Premiership
Tottenham Hotspur have shown ambition in the transfer market since Thomas Frank was announced as Ange Postecoglou’s successor, but they were forced to accept defeat in their attempts to lure Morgan Gibbs-White to N17.
Despite triggering a £60million release clause in his contract, Gibbs-White has ended up signing a new three-year deal with Nottingham Forest after their owner Evangelos Marinakis was hellbent on not losing one of his key players. Similarly, the Lilywhites suffered a setback in their pursuit of Brentford forward Yoane Wissa following Newcastle United’s late entry into the mix.
These incidents clearly demonstrate that Tottenham have not had much luck in terms of incomings in this summer transfer window. But, after rain comes sunshine, and recent transfer developments regarding one player would give the Hotspur Way chiefs something to smile about.
Tottenham target Daizen Maeda puts contract talks with Celtic on hold
Tottenham remain in the market for a striker amid uncertainty surrounding Richarlison’s future. The Brazilian endured another frustrating campaign in North London, failing to provide adequate back-up for club-record signing Dominic Solanke. This also led to extra pressure on Solanke’s shoulders to perform, which he could not manage in his maiden campaign in a Spurs shirt.
Thus, the club bosses are in search for a new striker, and Celtic’s Daizen Maeda has emerged as a target. The 27-year-old Celtic sharpshooter lit up the Scottish Premiership last season with 16 goals in 30 appearances. Overall, he bagged 33 goals and provided 12 assists on top of that, as the Bhoys completed a domestic double under Brendan Rodgers.
Unsurprisingly, recent reports suggested that Daizen Maeda was close to penning a new deal at Celtic. However, there is now a twist in the tale.
According to former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, the Japanese forward has paused contract talks with Celtic, having taken an interest in the possibility of a move to the Premier League. He will take his time before making a final decision about his future as the versatile forward’s head has been turned by Premier League interest.
“I think the Premier League interest has turned his head a bit,” Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider.
“With two years left on his contract, he’s going to have a look at all of his options, and this summer he’s going to wait and see what comes up. It’s a win-win situation for him because he’s going to be happy to stay at Celtic.
“It isn’t that he wants to leave, but if a Premier League club come in for him, he might want to make that move so he doesn’t want to close that door. Signing a new contract now means that opportunity will never come up.
“At this stage, that’s been delayed and he’ll wait and see who comes in for him.”
Why Maeda makes perfect sense for Spurs
Maeda would be a tactical fit for the kind of high-intensity, forward-thinking football Tottenham are aiming to play under Frank. The Celtic star’s versatility to play across the front three, especially as an inverted left winger or as a centre-forward, would offer Frank depth and flexibility in attack.
With Son Heung-min and Richarlison linked with summer exits, the Spurs boss could give the Japan international a prominent role. At 27, he is at the peak of his powers and can immediately shine at White Hart Lane, and the lure of Champions League football as well as the challenge to rub shoulders with the best players in the Premier League, could be too much to resist for Maeda.
Now that Maeda is thinking twice before committing his future at Parkhead, we must pounce on the opportunity to sign him.
