Daizen Maeda has wanted out of Celtic since February, Brendan Rodgers has revealed.
Last week, the Japanese forward gave an interview to media in his homeland while on international duty.
He stated that he had handed in a transfer request at Parkhead this summer, and pursued a departure right up until deadline day.
Celtic were unable to fulfil his demand, with a lack of transfer activity meaning they were unable to buy a suitable replacement for the 27-year-old.
On the topic, Rodgers said, "Daizen wanted to leave in February. I still feel that if a player wants to leave, we have to be ready for that, but we weren't in this window."
Rodgers elaborated on the window, which has caused uproar among supporters.
He added: "I think the business model of the club is highly successful. What we have to marry that in with is the football. Not just investment, timing of investment.
"It was clear what we needed, and we needed it early. We had these qualification games. Summer 2025 was a critical window for us to get players in to be ready for these games, and we weren't ready.
"That made me leave last time. This time I won't do that, one hundred per cent. I said 150 per cent a few weeks ago, so I'll go back to that! It didn't make me think of walking way, I just felt empty, if I'm honest."
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“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.”
