Celtic's Daizen Maeda (centre) celebrates with Reo Hatate after scoring their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Wednesday February 12, 2025.
Three Celtic players are reportedly attracting interest from West Ham United as the English club looks to rebuild following relegation from the Premier League.
The Hammers are preparing for life in the Championship for the first time in 14 years and have already been active in the summer transfer window as they target an immediate return to the top flight.
A fresh report from Claret & Hugh states that, after “speaking to a source with excellent club connections”, West Ham have “three targets” currently on Celtic’s books. The report adds that one of those players is Japanese, but stops short of naming any of the trio.
That naturally narrows the focus to Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda.
Both players have been linked with moves away from Celtic throughout the summer. Maeda has already made his ambitions clear, stating that his strong desire is to play in the English Premier League.
That makes the West Ham link an interesting one.
A move to the London club would mean spending at least one season in the Championship, assuming West Ham can bounce straight back. Whether that would appeal to Maeda is open to question, particularly given his previously stated ambition and the opportunity that appeared to present itself when a move to Wolfsburg fell through last year.
From Celtic’s point of view, Maeda has been one of the club’s most influential players since arriving from Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2022. His work rate, goals in big moments and relentless pressing have made him a favourite among supporters, and replacing that level of consistency would not be straightforward.
Celtic forward Daizen Maeda celebrates
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda (right) celebrates after scoring his sides third goal during the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Sunday May 10, 2026.
Hatate’s future also remains uncertain.
The midfielder has slipped down the pecking order under Martin O’Neill, making a summer departure appear increasingly likely if the right offer arrives. Like Maeda, he joined Celtic in January 2022 and has played a significant role during one of the club’s most successful periods in recent years.
As it stands, though, the report should be treated with a degree of caution.
Claret & Hugh does not identify any of the Celtic players supposedly on West Ham’s shortlist, leaving plenty of room for speculation. Without names or further detail, there is little to go on beyond the suggestion that Celtic are a market West Ham are exploring.
Even so, with Maeda and Hatate widely expected to consider their options this summer, any credible interest from England is likely to attract attention. Whether West Ham can offer the kind of move either player is looking for is another matter entirely.
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