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Maeda replacement: Celtic now targeting former Real Madrid man in stunning club-record deal

As Daizen Maeda sets his sights on the Premier League, Celtic have joined the race to sign La Liga striker Alvaro Rodriguez this summer.

Celtic target new attacking star

A lot was made about Maeda's season, but he certainly delivered when it mattered most. No matter what happens, the forward will have his place in Celtic history forever and always - especially if his winner against Hearts proves to be his final league goal for the club.

Replacing a player who stars in the biggest moments won't be easy, but that's not to say the Bhoys won't at least try if Maeda departs this summer.

According to TeamTalk, Celtic are now targeting Rodriguez and see the Elche forward as an ideal candidate to replace Maeda in the coming months.

alvaro-rodriguez-elche

The former Real Madrid gem won't come cheap, however. With Feyenoord, Ajax and PSV all chasing his signature, Elche have raised their asking price to as much as €15m (£13m), which would make him the most expensive signing in Celtic history.

Celtic's most expensive signings of all time

Rank

1

2

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5

Whether Rodriguez would be worth such a fee is the big question. The 21-year-old is full of potential and scored seven goals whilst also setting up another five in all competitions this season. There's no denying that, with or without Celtic, he's one to watch.

O'Neill reflects on "special" Celtic tenure

Eyebrows were raised when Celtic hired Martin O'Neill as their interim boss. Further eyebrows were then raised when he arrived until the end of the season to replace Wilfried Nancy. So much so that even he must have been shocked.

As it turns out, however, the veteran manager has still very much got it. He comes away from his interim spell as a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup winner in the most dramatic of circumstances. From Nancy's failure, he has dragged Celtic back to their throne.

Reflecting on an excellent run, he told reporters last weekend: "It is really a nice feeling, I must admit. Really, really nice. And I thought those days would have gone. It was just so, so pleasing.

"I can’t obviously remember properly my spell way back. I can remember certain games, I can remember certain things. But here, because of the circumstances, this is particularly special."

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