Celtic 'planning to accept' transfer bid for star this summer as Hoops 'already moved on' from ace
The player has fallen out of favour in recent months despite once being a nailed on starter
Celtic are reportedly already preparing for life without Reo Hatate as they plan to ‘accept’ a bid for the out of favour midfielder in the summer.
The 28-year old was once one of the first names on the team sheet and has been a fan favourite for much of his time at Celtic Park since signing in 2022 from Kawasaki Frontale. However, last season didn’t go to plan for the Japan international, who lost his place in the side to Arne Engels when it come to crunch time. Hatate’s inconsistent form led to him not starting any of Celtic’s post-split matches, while in the title decider against Hearts and Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline, he was left out of the squad altogether.
Given his lack of minutes under Martin O’Neill, Celtic are now willing to let go of Hatate in the summer despite him being under contract until 2028, it’s claimed. Since his arrival, the midfielder has scored 33 goals in 47 appearances and has won five SPFL Premiership title, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups during his four and a half years at the club.
Celtic prepare for life without Hatate
According to Football Insider: “Celtic are already planning to accept an offer for midfielder Reo Hatate after he has fallen down the pecking order of late, sources have told Football Insider. The Bhoys view this summer as their ‘best opportunity’ to cash in on the Japanese star as he heads into the final two years of his contract, and they won’t stand in his way if the right offer comes in. Sources say that the Glasgow giants have already moved on from the 28-year-old in terms of their long-term plans, and they will look to offload him to make way for further additions this summer.”
It’s been a monumental fall from grace of late for Hatate, who as recent as the 2024/25 season, notched 17 goal contributions in all competitions. He has also been praised for his work-rate off the ball while at Parkhead, but again, towards the end of the season slacked off in this area. Celtic signed Hatate from the J-League for £1.5m and should still be hoping to return a healthy profit on him. He has previously been linked with a move to Premier League sides Tottenham and Brighton.
Where did it all go wrong?
Under previous bosses Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers, Hatate thrived in the middle of the park and was even one of the better players under O’Neill during his brief second spell at the club earlier in the season. A needless red card in the Europa League against Bologna raised alarm bells about the midfielder’s concentration in a match Celtic were winning before going down to 10, but ended up drawing.
Since then Hatate spent months in and out of the starting XI however when Arne Engels returned from his thigh injury, it was the beginning of the end. The Belgian was a star performer after the split and played an integral part of the late season successful title charge. Hatate played a total of 35 overall minutes in the last five games.
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