DAIZEN Maeda is set to join Celtic on an initial loan with the club holding an option to buy, according to reports.

Multiple outlets in Japan are reporting Maeda is ready to move to Celtic from Yokohama F Marinos in the January transfer window.

And it's claimed he'll first head to Parkhead on a loan deal with a fee negotiated for the possible future purchase of Maeda on permanent terms.

The reported fee is thought to be around the £1.7million mark should Celtic decide to sign the attacker for good.

Japanese outlet Hochi state it's expected the full transfer will be exercised next summer.

Japan Times journalist Dan Orlowitz previously stated a fee in the region of £1.5m for 23-goal Maeda would be "insane" as he told Sky Sports the player was worth significantly more.

But he's confident the deal for Maeda is now 'done' as he confirmed the half-year loan move with a 'buyout option'.

And Orlowitz revealed he's not expecting an official announcement on the deal until the transfer window opens.

He explained: "Indeed, I wouldn't expect anything official until the window opens.

"But when Japanese clubs do an embargoed gaggle like this it usually means the actual announcement is coming in the next 72 hours.

"The NY holiday is a very weird time period in Japan; lots of businesses shut down for a week & it's basically the one guaranteed time of year everyone spends with their families. I'm sure YFM would much rather announce on Jan. 3 or 4 but c'est la vie."