Wilfried Nancy insists Daizen Maeda remains happy at Celtic and does not expect the forward to push for a transfer in January, having been denied a move earlier this year.
Maeda joined Celtic – initially on loan – from Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2022 and has contributed to four Scottish Premiership title wins and four domestic cup successes.
No player has scored more goals for the Bhoys since Maeda's debut (69), while he has 20 more goal involvements than any other player for the club in that time (102 – 33 assists).
However, Maeda told Japanese media in September that he had expressed a desire to leave during the most recent transfer window, with ex-manager Brendan Rodgers saying he had been aware of the 28-year-old's wish to leave since February.
And with Celtic – now under the management of former Columbus Crew boss Nancy – enduring a miserable defence of their Premiership title, it has been suggested that Maeda could push for a move once again.
But Nancy expects him to stay put, saying: "He's really happy here. I know he had the opportunity to leave before, but for the moment, he's with us and he's happy to be here.
"Yes, for sure, we'd like to keep him and he knows that. I hope that he's going to stay."
Maeda has scored seven goals and assisted six in 26 matches this season, having scored 33 and assisted 11 last campaign – his best figures since arriving in Scotland.
Nancy believes Maeda's versatility can be a major asset for Celtic – this season, he has played 45% of his minutes as a central striker, 33% on the left and 23% on the right.
"When he starts in the middle, he makes runs to the side to attack," he said. "When he starts on the side, he makes the run towards the net. So, it's all these situations.
"After that, he can be good also as a number nine, but he needs players around him. He's a player who can keep the ball, but he likes to make runs, he likes to combine.
"But also, tactically, he's really interesting because when I have him in the side, I know that something will happen."
Despite his high hopes for Maeda, Nancy knows Celtic may have to look to the transfer market to boost their attacking options in January.
"We'll see what we're going to do with that," Nancy said. "My job is to analyse my players first and, after that, I will see what I am going to do."
Nancy lost each of his first four games at the helm, including a 3-1 defeat to St. Mirren in the Scottish League Cup final, before finally getting his first victory last Sunday, 3-1 against Aberdeen. His team visit Livingston in the Premiership on Saturday.