Daizen Maeda was keen on a move to Germany after interest from a Bundesliga club in the Celtic star, it's been claimed.
This morning, the Japanese forward dropped the bombshell news that the Hoops blocked a transfer for him to leave during the window.
Maeda has explained during an interview with media in Japan that he wished to take the "next step" in his career, but was unable to leave due to club circumstances at Celtic.
According to Maeda, who has two years left on his Celtic deal, he had intimated his desire to leave the club with an offer made for his services.
The winger was late to join the Japan squad in the United States due to being locked in talks with Celtic until the final day of the transfer window.
Now, Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph has claimed that a German top-flight side were interested in signing Maeda last week, so tabled a 'big bid'.
What's more, the player wanted to go.
"My understanding is that a Bundesliga club registered their interest last week and he was keen," he wrote on X. "The German club made a big bid last weekend but Celtic were in no position to entertain it due to a shortage of forwards."
Read more:
-
Celtic’s new reality and the tactical change that could spark Brendan Rodgers' side
-
Breum 'disappointed' by failed Celtic transfer pursuit but deal 'wasn't close'
“I joined the national team late and was in talks with Celtic until the final day, but it didn't work out," Maeda told Gekisaka. “I had an offer and had consistently communicated to my club that I wanted to take the next step in my career.
"However, Celtic ultimately couldn't secure the necessary reinforcements and told me they couldn't let me go.
“Personally, I had come to an understanding with the club, so I had the desire to take on this challenge.
"I'd been in constant talks with the club since before last season ended, consistently expressing my desire to take the next step.
"There were league matches, and we lost the CL qualifiers, so it was difficult.”
Despite being denied a transfer move over the summer, Maeda has now vowed he will give 100 per cent for the club.
He added: “Since I've decided to stay at Celtic, I want to give my all for the team.”
