Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers gives update on Daizen Maeda contract talks after admitting star will be attracting interest
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BRENDAN RODGERS insists Daizen Maeda is only focused on Celtic after responding to questions about the attacker's future.
The electric Japanese frontman still has two years left on his current Celtic deal but interest in him is believed to be high following his sensational campaign last season.
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Daizen Maeda was Celtic's star man last season
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Brendan Rodgers has given an update on the forward's future
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
Maeda, 27, scooped all of the Player of the Year awards after scoring 33 goals and providing 12 assists in all competitions last term.
SunSport understands the Scottish champions are looking to tie their star man down on an improved deal to fend off interest, with Premier League clubs and teams in Europe keeping tabs.
But Celts boss Rodgers admits there hasn't been any progress made in negotiations between the club and the player's representatives.
He's confident, though, that the ongoing situation won't impact the forward's season - just like how he won't allow his own contract limbo to affect the upcoming campaign.
Asked if the club were any closer to reaching an agreement with the 27-year-old, Rodgers said: "Not that I'm aware of.
"I don't think there have been any developments on that, but he's a professional and his focus is very much on here."
Maeda grabbed an assist for team-mate Yang Hyun-Jun in the 4-0 rout over Premier League big guns Newcastle United at Parkhead.
But he couldn't get his own name on the score-sheet this time.
Maeda scored big goals in the Champions League last season, though, against Slovan Bratislava, Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge and Bayern Munich.
And Rodgers previously confessed that he expects interest in the forward following his exploits on Europe's biggest stage.
Celtic fans demand 'build him a statue' after Daizen Maeda trolls Rangers during four-in-a-row title party
Speaking earlier this year, he said: "I would think Daizen would be getting interest.
"If you're doing it at a Champions League level, you're showing you can do it on that stage.
"If you're scoring goals like he has, working as hard as he does, then of course that will always bring attention.
"Daizen is a great symbol for our team and the collective, he brings the highest level of intensity we want.
"He is deserving of everything he's getting so far, and he's developing as a football player."
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