Interest in Celtic star player is reported to be growing ahead of a potential departure from Paradise during the current summer transfer window.
As the Hoops continue preparing for the new campaign, attention is also turning towards possible outgoing transfers, with several members of the squad continuing to attract interest from elsewhere. The latest reports suggest that one of Celtic’s longest-serving midfielders could now be edging closer to bringing his time at the club to an end.
The Japanese midfielder has reportedly handed in an official transfer request at the club as he seeks pastures new and a totally fresh adventure in his footballing journey. Martin O’Neill has stated that he wouldn’t stand in the player’s way should he want to find new employment elsewhere, intimating that the time has come for a parting of the ways. With speculation continuing to gather momentum, the possibility of another notable departure from Celtic Park remains firmly in the spotlight.
The player at the centre of the reports is Reo Hatate. Ange Postecoglou brought Reo Hatate to the club during that blockbuster transfer window of January 2022, when the Japanese star was joined by two of his countrymen in the form of the talismanic forward Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi, whose move never quite worked out in comparison to the two aforementioned Japanese imports.
Hatate quickly became an important figure after arriving in Glasgow and played his part during a successful period for the club.
After an underwhelming spell at Celtic Park that has now lasted a while for Hatate, it seems that the time has arrived for both he and the Hoops to break off this love affair after so many wonderful memories across the past four years or so.
Although there have been memorable moments throughout his time at Paradise, recent developments have fuelled increasing speculation that both player and club could now be ready to move in different directions before the transfer window closes.
If and when he does leave, it has now been claimed that he will not be short of options. Interest in the midfielder appears to be building from several different markets, with clubs from multiple countries reportedly keeping a close watch on his situation. As a result, Celtic may soon have a number of potential destinations to consider should discussions over a transfer continue in the coming weeks.
The Herald’s Stephen McGowan has reported that Hatate is being closely monitored by English Championship club West Ham United, as well as clubs in France and even as far afield as Major League Soccer in the United States.
According to the report, interest is not restricted to one league, with clubs from across Europe and North America all keeping tabs on the midfielder’s situation as uncertainty surrounding his future continues.
In his report regarding Everton’s interest in Alistair Johnston and the expectation that they will make a bid soon, McGowan stated: “Midfielder Reo Hatate also wants to leave and is attracting interest from English Championship side West Ham as well as clubs in France and MLS.” The comments place Hatate among the players whose futures remain unresolved as Celtic continue navigating another busy transfer window.
With major changes expected in the Celtic team this season under Martin O’Neill, after he was appointed manager on a permanent basis for the second time in his managerial career, Reo is one of a number of players who it is clear the boss doesn’t fancy and doesn’t really trust to the full. The ongoing reshaping of the squad has already generated plenty of discussion, and Hatate’s future continues to be one of the situations attracting the greatest attention.
The player had several chances under the Irishman last term but did not seize the opportunity, and his sending off in Bologna last season clearly irritated the veteran Celtic manager. Those moments have continued to be referenced as questions remain over whether Hatate still has a long-term future at Paradise, particularly as the club prepares for another important campaign.
Hopefully the club and player can sort an agreement that suits all parties and he can leave with the best wishes of the Celtic support for all those great memories. Reo Hatate is a player who will always be admired by the Celtic faithful, and on his day he was simply unplayable. As interest continues to grow from multiple clubs, the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining whether his four-year spell at Celtic Park comes to an end before the transfer window closes.