Celtic wantaway becomes 'attractive package' for West Ham as potential replacement for Brazil superstar
Hoops star wants to leave the club to challenge himself at a higher level
Celtic playmaker Reo Hatate could replace the creativity of Lucas Paqueta at West Ham United, as the wantaway midfielder edges closer to his wish becoming a reality.
The 28-year old Japan international claimed he wasn’t ‘satisfied’ at Celtic earlier this month and is seeking a Parkhead escape route. Should he move to East London, he’d be following teammate for club and country Daizen Maeda south of the border as he’s set to join Ipswich Town. Hatate has generally enjoyed success during his four-and-a-half years at Celtic, however after falling out of favour with manager Martin O’Neill last season, he believes now is the right time to move on.
West Ham sold Paqueta to Flamengo in January and have struggled to replace his dynamism. Since the 67-capped Brazil internationalist left, they’ve been relegated to the Championship and are now regrouping under boss Nuno Espirito Santo. The Irons have former Rangers Technical Director Nils Koppen as their current Director of Recruitment, who will be well aware of Hatate’s talent from his time in Glasgow.
Hatate an ‘attractive package’ for West Ham
A move to the London Stadium technically wouldn’t fulfil Hatate’s dream to play in the top five leagues, but with the Hammers clear favourites to go straight back up to the Premier League, it would be a step in the right direction. According to i Sports: “The Hammers have struggled to find an attacking creator since Lucas Paqueta left in January.
“Celtic’s Reo Hatate has made his wish to leave the Scottish champions clear – and the 28-year-old’s precise passing sensibilities and versatility across midfield is an attractive package. Koppen will have close up knowledge of the Japanese player’s qualities across Glasgow from his spell as Rangers sporting director.”
Having sold midfielder Mateus Fernandes and winger Crysencio Summerville for around £145m, West Ham have plenty of financial resources to play with to ensure their stay in the second tier will be short lived. The club are also reportedly looking at Rangers defender John Souttar for extra cover in defence, as well as his brother Harry Souttar, who was also recently relegated with Leicester City.
Why does Hatate want to leave Celtic?
Earlier this month, Hatate told Japanese outlet FERGUS: “I would like to challenge myself in one of the top five leagues. I’m not saying I’m satisfied, but I have had the opportunity to play in the Champions League and other high-level leagues, but I still haven’t been able to play at such a high level for an entire season. I still have that desire to play there. I would like to play in one of the top five leagues, and if possible, in the Europa League or Champions league. My goal is to be able to play in a league where I can do that.”
Since being signed by former boss Ange Postecoglou from J League side Kawasaki Frontale in January 2022, Hatate scored 33 goals in 189 Celtic appearances. Over this time, he has helped the club to five Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups. He has twice been named in the division’s Team of the Year.