Former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant believes the club would be willing to cash in on Reo Hatate this summer if a significant offer comes in, suggesting a £10 million fee could be enough to tempt the board.
Despite occasional injury setbacks in previous seasons, Hatate has shown his value when fit. With the club eyeing a potential rebuild and continued European ambitions, any sale would need to be balanced against the risk of losing one of the team’s most technically gifted midfielders.
Grant says the club would likely sell Hatate if a good enough offer came in. Having spent three and a half years at Celtic, Hatate has played his part in the team’s success at home and progress in Europe this season.
He said: (the Go Radio Football Show), “If Celtic get £10 million for Reo Hatate, then they would sell him.
“I don’t mean that disrespectfully, because they will look at it and think, 27-28 years of age. They will think, ‘okay, that’s good money at that age’.
“That’s just not Celtic. I think that’s good value, in the respect of that. I think Brendan is very much aware of that.“
Right now, there’s no official move for Hatate, but Grant’s comments show how the game works these days. If a good enough offer comes in, Celtic might think it makes sense to sell, especially with Hatate’s age and the chance to bring in younger players.
Until then, the majority of fans will be hoping Hatate stays in Glasgow and keeps playing a big part in Rodgers’ midfield.
However, £10 million for a 27-year-old in the prime of his career wouldn’t be the best piece of business. Yes, Kyogo went for a similar fee not long ago, but there’s a big difference between 27 and 30 in today’s game.
Three years can make all the difference in a player’s value and impact. Hatate still has plenty to offer at the top level, and letting him go now for that amount could be seen as short-sighted.
