Celtic target Serie A winger as Maeda exit looms for Celtic

Celtic have opened negotiations to sign Lazio’s Serie A winger Matteo Cancellieri, with a fee that could rise from £8 million to £10 million, as forward Daizen Maeda completes a medical at Ipswich Town ahead of a possible Premier League move this summer.

The club view Cancellieri as a direct replacement for Maeda, aiming to fill the void left by the Japanese forward. The Daily Record confirms Celtic are actively negotiating the deal, highlighting the winger’s Serie experience as a key factor.

Celtic’s pursuit comes as they prepare for a Champions League qualifier, with Maeda’s potential departure creating a timing challenge. The medical at Ipswich Town signals a likely Premier League switch, meaning Celtic must secure a new attacking option before the European tie.

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton described the reported £8‑10 million fee as “buttons”, calling the decision to sell Maeda before the Champions League tie “utter baffling”. His comments underline the financial and sporting stakes involved in the transfer window.

Beyond Cancellieri, Celtic’s radar includes other targets: Bodo/Glimt’s striker Kasper Hogh, Paderborn’s midfielder Mika Baur, and Hungarian champions Gyori ETO’s midfielder Milan Vitalis. These names illustrate the breadth of the club’s recruitment strategy.

A recent Getty Images caption shows Celtic considering a move for a Serie A winger while a former Rangers captain enters talks with an MLS club, underscoring the club’s broader activity in the market.

The next steps involve finalising Cancellieri’s fee, navigating Maeda’s potential Premier League departure, and weighing alternative options as the Champions League qualifier approaches, shaping the squad for both domestic and European challenges.