Rodgers could sign Maeda’s heir as Celtic monitor 5 ft 7 magician

The Hoops are reportedly eyeing up the young talent, who only joined his current club over the summer.

About six weeks remain until the January transfer window opens, and Celtic is apparently looking to add to its playing roster.

Celtic transfer news – Kanji Okunuki

Before the year ends, the Scottish powerhouses are reportedly interested in Nurnberg winger Kanji Okunuki, according to Sky Sports Germany writer Ben Heckner.

According to the writer, the attacker’s performances have been “intensively” observed by the Hoops, who have deployed scouts to observe him in action.

The 24-year-old jewel is reportedly attractive to the Bhoys, but Heckner has revealed that no firm offer is currently on the table for his services.

By getting a trade done for Okunuki before the second half of the season begins, Brendan Rodgers might now acquire the successor apparent to current Celtic winger Daizen Maeda.

Maeda’s season in numbers

Despite not being particularly impressive, the 26-year-old forward’s start to the 2023–24 Scottish Premiership season has been strong, with two goals and two assists in 12 games.

In 25 league starts for former coach Ange Postecoglou in the top division during the 2022–2023 season, he produced eight goals and five assists as the Hoops won the championship.

Although Maeda hasn’t consistently contributed goals from wide this season, he has made valuable contributions when needed and is a great workhorse who can force opponents to give up the ball back to Celtic.

Despite being an aggressive player, the Japan international’s 3.4 ball recoveries per game demonstrate his excellent defensive abilities.

The Hoops star is reportedly the target of Tottenham Hotspur, who are currently led by Postecoglou. This implies that Rodgers may require an heir to his post, which Okunuki may be.

The statistics that show why Okunuki could be Maeda’s heir

The 24-year-old wizard made a summer transfer window move to Nurnberg from Polish team Gornik, and he’s enjoyed a good start to life in Germany.

In his 13 2. Bundesliga games this season, Okunuki has provided three goals and one assist, meaning that in one extra game, he has been directly involved in as many goals as Maeda. In two DFB Pokal matches, he has also contributed one goal and six crucial passes.

The five-foot-seven talent joined after making eighteen league starts for Gornik in Poland last season, during which he scored four goals and created two “big chances” for his teammates.

Okunuki in 23/24 DFB Pokal (via Sofascore)
Statistic	Performance
Appearances	Two
Sofascore rating	7.9
Goals	One
Key passes	Six
Big chances created	One
Dribbles completed	Three

But because of his defensive prowess and willingness to recover and defend for his side, he might be the perfect Maeda successor at Parkhead.

In the Polish top division the previous season, Okunuki averaged 2.5 tackles and interceptions per game. This season, he has played in 15 games in the 2. Bundesliga and DFB Pokal, accumulating 43 ball recoveries for an average of 2.9 per game.

These figures demonstrate that in addition to his semi-regular contributions in the final third, the Japanese winger is able to consistently recover possession back for his team.

Therefore, should Maeda decide to join Spurs or another team, the Nurnberg ace would be a great addition as an aggressive pressing forward.