Daizen Maeda is worth much more than £10 million claims Sutton | OneFootball

Chris Sutton has declared the £10 million deal for Daizen Maeda to Ipswich Town is a bad deal for all involved…

The ex-Celtic hitman doesn’t tend to mince his words and has delivered a knockout blow to all involved in this current transfer deal for the Japanese international, as he seeks to fulfil his dream of playing in the English Premier League.

Sutton has been increasing critical of Celtic’s transfer business – or lack of it!

Sutton has been highly critical of the club for some time now in relation to their dealings in the transfer market. Like so many others of a Celtic persuasion, the big Englishman found it unfathomable when the Hoops’ hierarchy sold Maeda’s fellow countryman and talismanic figure Kyogo Furuhashi (who yesterday joined MLS side LA Galaxy from Birmingham City) back in the January transfer window of 2025, without adequately replacing him.

19th April 2026; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland; Scottish Cup Football, Celtic versus St Mirren; Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates after he scores in the 2nd minute after a challenge on Ryan Mullen of St Mirren

Michael Nicholson has struggled to get deals over the line

That has still never been resolved as we await major reinforcements of the attacking department, with Camilo Duran the only solitary signing through the famous Parkhead Gates this summertime, as our floundering CEO Michael Nicholson continues to blame all in sundry for his own failings to deliver deals properly for a Celtic manager yet again.

23.05.2026 Celtic v Dunfermline Athletic, Scottish Cup Final. Daizen Maeda banner. Photo Kenny Ramsay

Chris Sutton reckons Celtic selling Maeda too cheaply and believes Ipswich will be relegated

Sutton though, has laughed at the deal to take Daizen to Portman Road all-round, implying it will be a terrible move not only for Celtic, owing to the Japan star’s actual market value and the player’s short-sightedness in joining Gary O’Neil’s provincial English club, who will most likely be playing Championship football next term after another relegation.

Speaking on the matter via his social media page on X, the Sky Sports Scotland pundit commented:

“Maeda is worth much more than £10 million and will find himself playing Championship football the following season. Bad deal for Celtic and Maeda…”

Sutton is pretty spot on wherever Maeda’s choice of next steps for his career are concerned, as Ipswich Town for all intents and purposes will be one of the strong favourites to end up being relegated straight away in the unforgiving Premier League.

As for the transfer fee itself, considering his end to the season and the World Cup performance from the forward, one would have thought it might have been closer to the £14 million VfL Wolfsburg offered last summer, which was rejected.

Celtic couldn’t stand in Daizen’s way

With one-year left on his deal though, and the player wanting away, it was always a buyers market in this instance. Celtic’s acceptance of a lower price could also be something of a reward for Daizen staying at the club last season after the board’s failings in the summer 2025 transfer window.

As far as joining a lower end Premier League team, perhaps it will be better suited to Daizen’s particular strengths with him able to lead the press high up the park.

If that works as it may well do, the current Celtic talisman could be the difference maker that allows the Championship champions to retain their place in the top flight of English football and consolidate that next summer.

3rd May 2026; Easter Road, Scottish Premiership Football, Hibernian versus Celtic; Ex Celtic player Chris Sutton and Celtic coach Stephen McManus share a joke after the match. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Big Sutton’s opinion of Ipswich’s chances may also be tainted by the fact that he’s a Norwich City man himself!

Paul Gillespie

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