MAEDA EXIT PLAN IN MOTION

Celtic recruitment team actively hunting for January replacement

- SCOTT BURNS

DAIZEN MAEDA is poised for a January exit as Celtic brace themselves for a bidding war.

Parkhead chiefs turned down several approaches for the 28-year-old Japan international in the last two transfer windows.

Maeda couldn't hide his frustrations in September, revealing he had wanted to leave but the club were unwilling to sell because they didn't have a replacement lined up.

Brentford had been keen to take him to the Premier League and there was also major Bundesliga interest during the summer.

Sources close to Maeda have confirmed there is still strong demand for his signature going into the new year.