Ipswich Town have reportedly agreed a £10million deal in principle with Celtic for the signing of forward Daizen Maeda.
The Japan international has long desired a move to the Premier League and he looks set to be given a chance to test himself in England's top-flight with the newly-promoted Tractor Boys.
Despite the addition of Emersonn from Toulouse for a club-record fee, Ipswich boss Gary O'Neil is eager to enhance his striking options and Maeda has been at the top of his wishlist.
According to Record Sport, negotiations have progressed between the two clubs and an initial fee of £8m has been agreed, which could rise to £10m with performance-based incentives.
Maeda joined Celtic from J1 League outfit Yokohama F. Marinos in 2022 and has established himself as a cult hero on the terraces of Celtic Park.
The 28-year-old has netted 79 goals and registered 38 assists in 212 games for the Glasgow giants, which includes reaching double figures for goals in his previous two Scottish Premiership seasons.
Maeda has won 30 caps for Japan and featured in Hajime Moriyasu's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, scoring the Samarai Blue's opening goal in their 1-1 draw with Sweden during the group stage.
Entering the final year of his contract, Celtic are now willing to facilitate Maeda's departure to avoid missing out on a fee next summer.
Maeda was the subject of a lucrative switch to Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg in the previous summer transfer window, but the deal ultimately fell through as Celtic decided to pull the plug in light of Adam Idah's exit.
It's expected Maeda will undergo a medical at Ipswich's Playford Road training base later this week.
The Tractor Boys are currently on a warm-weather training camp in La Manga, Spain in preparation for their return to the Premier League.
Ipswich were rocked in early June when it was announced Kieran McKenna, who had guided the club to three promotions in four seasons, would be leaving Portman Road due to personal reasons.
Former Bournemouth and Wolves boss O'Neil has since been named his successor as Ipswich look to replicate the successes of Sunderland and Leeds United last season by preserving their Premier League status.
