Celtic plotting move to sign 18-goal Wycombe Wanderers star | OneFootball

Celtic have registered interest in Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone, amid fears they might lose Daizen Maeda.

Celtic have identified Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone as a potential replacement for Daizen Maeda, should the Japanese forward leave the club this summer.

Kone enjoyed a prolific first full season in League One, scoring 18 goals in 43 appearances as Wycombe finished in the play-offs.

The Ivorian rounded out a successful campaign by winning both League One's Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards, which has seen plenty of eyebrows raised from clubs all across Europe.

So far this summer, West Ham United, Birmingham City, and Middlesbrough have all been linked with a move for the Chairboys star, but it's unknown whether anyone has made a bid just yet.

However, the latest reports from TeamTalk have added another team to that list of interested clubs, as Celtic are now reportedly eyeing Kone as a replacement for Maeda, as Brendan Rodgers braces to lose his star forward.

Celtic keen on Richard Kone amid Daizen Maeda uncertainty

Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

It was always going to be the case that interest in Kone would skyrocket this summer. The Ivorian's contract at Adams Park expires in June next year, and isn't currently showing any signs of putting pen to paper on a new deal.

The 22-year-old was the subject of multiple bids from then-Championship side Luton Town in January, the highest of which reportedly reaching £7m, but Wanderers held firm, and didn't allow Matt Bloomfield a sniff at bringing his former striker to Kenilworth Road.

Six months later, interest is still at its peak in Kone. Scottish giants Celtic are now the latest club pondering over a move for the striker, according to TeamTalk, as they prepare for the potential departure of current striker Maeda.

The Japanese international forward has been linked with a move away from Celtic Park, with Kone identified as the potential successor to Maeda.

Celtic face hefty competition to land Wycombe Wanderers striker

Wycombe have made their stance on Kone's future very clear, as they are keen to keep hold of their star man ahead of the new season, as they look to gain promotion to the Championship, after last year's play-off semi-final defeat.

The Chairboys reportedly value the striker at £7m, which is a steep price-tag that many teams won't be willing to match. Celtic are said to be hesitant to match this valuation, unless the sale of Maeda generates 'substantial funds'.

However, the hefty price-tag hasn't prevented interest from coming across Europe for the former Athletic Newham man.

Brentford, Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Toulouse and Belgian outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise are also reportedly keeping a close eye on Kone, which is keeping Rodgers' side on their toes in their pursuit of the forward.

The 22-year-old will be a long-term project for the Scottish champions, despite a poor finish to last season which saw him score just two goals after returning from injury at the back end of the campaign.

It's going to take an offer too good to refuse to convince Wycombe to sell Kone this summer, but the Chairboys do need to be careful, as they could end up losing him for a lot less than £7m come next summer.