West Ham United could make a ‘substantial’ bid for Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda this summer, according to Caught Offside. 

The Hammers have reportedly joined Crystal Palace in the race for the Japan International as Graham Potter looks to make huge attacking reinforcements in the transfer window this summer.

The 27-year-old has had a sensational season for Celtic this season as they lifted their 55th Scottish League title, equalling Rangers. Maeda has been their standout player this season, scoring 33 goals and providing 12 assists in 49 matches in all competitions.

A lot of immediate responses to this would be ‘it’s only the Scottish league’, however, Maeda was also excellent in the Champions League. He scored three goals in seven League phase matches before contributing to both Celtic goals in a narrow 3-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich in the play-offs.

While Maeda may not be the exciting forward player the fans want to sign and have become used to signing over the last 5 years or so or even a young promising player. But, Maeda could well be exactly the type of player we need to be signing. The Bhoys would reportedly demand £25m for the forward which could prove to be quite a bargain for the Hammers.

In terms of position, Maeda is probably the perfect signing. He has played the majority of his career on the left-wing and that hasn’t changed this season. The Japan star has played 34 games on the left this season, scoring 18 goals and providing eight assists.

However, he has been equally as impressive, if not more impressive playing as a striker. He has scored 14 goals and made 4 assists in ten matches as the focal point.

This is the exact type of position West Ham need to target this summer. The Hammers trust Crysencio Summerville to be a starter when he is fit, however, as we’ve seen this season that could be a big question mark with his fitness next season. And with Kudus looking set to depart, we will need more depth on that left side.

Also, with Danny Ings leaving and Michail Antonio’s future undecided, Niclas Fullkrug could be the only striker in the squad next season. So, Maeda alongside an out and out striker signing could give us some real firepower going into Potter’s first full season at the London Stadium.