1. Home
  2. ·
  3. News
  4. ·
  5. TRANSFERS
TRANSFERS

Celtic close in on Baur as Maeda set for £10m Ipswich move

Celtic are on the verge of signing German midfielder Mika Baur from Paderborn, with personal terms agreed, as Daizen Maeda prepares to leave for Ipswich Town in a deal worth up to £10 million.

TR
·22 Jul·2 min read
Sources: Celtic close in on Mika Baur after new talks held
Sources: Celtic close in on Mika Baur after new talks held Photograph: Wikimedia Commons

Baur moved to Paderborn in 2024 and spent time out on loan at Dynamo Dresden in the second half of that season, then became a regular with his parent club throughout the last campaign. He registered nine goal contributions in 36 games from central midfield for Paderborn to help fire them to promotion. Baur is regarded as equally adept with both feet and has represented Germany at several youth levels from under-18 to under-21. He was voted Paderborn's Player of the Year for last season after being so key to their promotion push, and is now on the verge of a move to Celtic. The 22-year-old's transfer is being brokered by former Rangers player Christian Nerlinger, who owns the CN Sports agency that also represents ex-Hoops star Nicolas Kuhn.

In terms of outgoing business, Daizen Maeda is set to join Ipswich Town in a deal worth £10 million, inclusive of add-ons. The Japan international has been a key figure for Celtic, scoring 79 goals in 212 appearances since a 2021 transfer from Yokohama F. Marinos, but the club have accepted an offer that allows them to reinvest in the squad. Maeda made it clear after the World Cup that he wanted to play at a higher level on a consistent basis and has now had that dream realised, which will see him play in the Premier League next season.

Penrice is expected to act as back-up to Kieran Tierney but has been promised plenty of game time to ensure he develops further.

An initial bid of £3.4 million was rejected, yet discussions between the clubs are ongoing as they attempt to reach an agreement for the attacker.

Tagged
TRANSFERSTRANSFER
TR
Transfers desk

Tomás Reyes Tomás runs MatchdayReport's transfers desk. Patient sourcing, never the first to publish but rarely the wrong one. A decade in the business including spells at L'Équipe and at Goal.

More from Reyes

Related coverage

The Matchday briefing

One email on matchdays. The story that matters, the numbers behind it, nothing else.