Speculation continues to swirl around Reo Hatate’s future at Celtic, with reports suggesting the Japanese midfielder could be the next big-name departure.
Speaking on the situation, The Sun’s sports editor Roger Hannah explained how Celtic have consistently sold a key player each summer to balance the books and reinvest in the squad.
Hannah believes that Hatate, who still has two years left on his contract, may be the most likely candidate to depart this summer, despite Daizen Maeda’s starring season.
“The Celtic model tends to see themselves selling somebody each year, and they’ve worked it really, really well. Last year, it was Matt O’Reilly to Brighton, and Arne Engels came in for less than half the money and has done well. The season before, Jota went, and he’s now back, albeit he’s fighting this bad injury now.
“So they tend to put one out each year. Now you look at the squad just now, I think the most likely candidate to go would be Reo Hatate. I think he’s more likely, even more than Daizen Maeda, who scored 33 goals this season, 27 years of age.
“If Reo Hatate doesn’t go now, then his value to Celtic as a selling club will probably drop, and the interest might drop. You know, if you get to 28 or 29, fewer teams are looking at you. So I just think everything might align this summer for Reo Hatate to go.” [The Sun]
Hatate has been a standout since arriving from Kawasaki Frontale in January 2022 and remains a fan favourite for his energy, technical quality, and ability to deliver in big matches. But with clubs from Italy, France, and Germany reportedly monitoring him and Udinese scouts watching his recent double against Kilmarnock, the timing may suit both player and club.
Should Hatate move on, it would again test Celtic’s recruitment strategy, with Head of Football Operations Paul Tisdale tasked with finding a replacement capable of matching the Japanese midfielder’s impact. For now, though, Hatate remains central to Celtic’s bid to end the season with a Treble and any decisions will wait until after the final whistle at Hampden later this month when Celtic face Aberdeen.
