Brendan Rodgers’ latest comments indicate a significant shift in Celtic’s transfer priorities, with the club seemingly cooling their long-standing interest in Brøndby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden. The Danish forward has been linked with a move to Parkhead for almost two years, with negotiations even taking place in January. However, a deal never materialized, and despite reports that a buy-out clause could now lower his asking price, Rodgers’ latest remarks suggest Celtic’s focus may be shifting to other areas instead.

Why Celtic May No Longer Be Prioritizing Kvistgaarden

For much of the season, Kvistgaarden was seen as the natural replacement for Kyogo Furuhashi, who left for Rennes in January. The expectation was that Celtic would return for the Danish forward in the summer, particularly as he would have less than two years remaining on his contract. Brøndby had initially valued him at around £10 million, but with the buy-out clause coming into effect, he could potentially be available for less. However, despite his potential and Celtic’s initial interest, Rodgers appears to be reconsidering the club’s needs, largely due to the impact Daizen Maeda has had in a central role.

In Celtic’s 3-0 win over Hearts, Maeda delivered another impressive performance, scoring his 30th and 31st goals of the season. His movement, work rate, and pressing ability have made him an excellent fit for the striker role, and Rodgers has been full of praise for the Japanese international’s contributions.

Speaking after the match, Rodgers told Celtic TV:

“I think he can be (the main striker). I think it’s one where if we were to move him back on to the side and take him out of the middle, with all due respect, it’s probably easier for us to bring in a top winger than it would be a top striker. But he can clearly play the position, and I am so happy that he can.”

This statement provides a key insight into Rodgers’ thinking. If Maeda is now considered a viable first-choice striker, then the need to spend heavily on another center-forward is reduced. Instead, Celtic may now prioritize strengthening the wide areas, particularly given the departure of Kyogo and the need for more attacking options on the flanks.

A New Role for Maeda

For much of his career, Maeda has been deployed as a winger, using his pace and work rate to stretch defenses. However, he has always been more of a wide forward than a traditional winger, and many have long believed that his best position is through the middle. In Rodgers’ first pre-season back in charge, he saw firsthand what Maeda could do as a striker.

“In my first pre-season back out in Japan, he scored a hat-trick. I could see his movement and his runs and his finishing. Of course, we had Kyogo here with Adam Idah. But I always like to have a press at the top end of the pitch who brings intensity to the game. For me, he brings that with the runs. And goals.”

This suggests that Maeda’s ability to play as a central striker was something Rodgers had considered for some time. Now that he has been given an extended run in that role, it appears that the manager sees him as a long-term option rather than just a temporary solution.

Maeda’s strengths as a striker are clear. His pressing intensity makes life difficult for defenders, his movement allows him to create space, and his finishing has improved significantly. He offers a different profile to Adam Idah, who is more of a physical presence but has struggled to find consistent goal-scoring form this season.

The Impact on Celtic’s Transfer Plans

With Maeda thriving as a striker, Celtic’s priorities in the transfer market could now change. Instead of spending a significant sum on a new center-forward, they may look to invest in a top-quality winger who can complement their attacking play.

There is also the question of a third-choice striker. While Maeda and Idah appear to be the main options, the club will still need another forward, particularly with Johnny Kenny expected to leave on loan again. However, rather than spending £10 million or more on Kvistgaarden, Celtic could look for a more cost-effective solution to add depth to their forward line.

Could Kyogo Make a Shock Return?

One of the most intriguing possibilities is the potential return of Kyogo Furuhashi. The Japanese striker left for Rennes in a move that many Celtic supporters found baffling, especially given how crucial he had been to the team’s success. However, with Jota returning as part of the deal, Celtic opted against paying a premium for a new striker in January.

Now, there is speculation that Kyogo could be available for a lower fee than the £10 million Celtic received for him. If that is the case, bringing him back could be a shrewd piece of business, particularly if he is keen to return to Glasgow.

If Celtic were to re-sign Kyogo, it would likely end any remaining interest in Kvistgaarden, as the club would then have Maeda, Idah, and Kyogo as their three main striking options. However, even if Kyogo does not return, Rodgers’ comments suggest that signing another £10 million striker is not a priority.

Other Key Areas to Address

While the striker situation is a major talking point, Celtic have other pressing needs to address in the summer transfer window.

Left-Back Situation

Greg Taylor is expected to leave, which means Celtic will need to sign a replacement. Kieran Tierney has been linked with a return, though his wages and injury record could be potential stumbling blocks. Still, bringing him back would be a popular move among supporters.

Defensive Reinforcements

There are also rumors of interest in Cameron Carter-Vickers, which could force Celtic to enter the market for a new center-back. Losing Carter-Vickers would be a significant blow, given his importance to the team’s defensive stability.

Wide Players Needed

With Rodgers suggesting that it would be easier to find a top-quality winger than a top striker, it seems likely that Celtic will prioritize adding a wide attacker. Nicolas Kühn has attracted interest from other clubs, and if he were to leave, the need for reinforcements would become even more pressing.

Champions League Considerations

One of the biggest factors in Celtic’s summer transfer plans will be their involvement in the UEFA Champions League Playoff. Strengthening the squad will be essential if they want to secure a place in the group stage, as the competition will be even more challenging next season.

Rodgers has already shown that he is thinking about the long-term future of the squad, and any signings made this summer will need to be of a high enough quality to compete at the European level.

Final Thoughts

Mathias Kvistgaarden would have been an exciting addition to Celtic’s squad, but with Daizen Maeda proving himself as a capable central striker, the need for another big-money forward has diminished. Instead, Rodgers appears to be focusing on strengthening other areas, particularly on the wings and at left-back.

While some supporters may still want the club to pursue Kvistgaarden, Rodgers’ comments suggest that he is happy with his current striking options. If Maeda continues his impressive form and Celtic can bring in a quality winger, few fans will have any complaints.

The summer transfer window will be crucial for Celtic, with key departures and arrivals expected. Whether the club’s decision to move on from Kvistgaarden proves to be the right one remains to be seen, but with Rodgers at the helm, there is a clear vision for the team’s future.

Would you prefer Celtic to push ahead with a move for Kvistgaarden, or do you agree with Rodgers that reinforcing the wings should now be the priority?