Reo Hatate may have been an unused substitute against Hearts at the weekend, still serving the aftermath of his red card in Bologna, but speculation over his future continues to swirl.
According to Stephen McGowan of The Herald, the Japanese midfielder is attracting interest from clubs in England and abroad — no surprise given the quality he has shown since arriving in Glasgow.
Hatate joined Celtic in January 2022 and quickly became a fan favourite.
From a dazzling debut at Tynecastle, followed by a double against Rangers, to influential performances in Europe, he has consistently demonstrated technical skill and intelligence in midfield.
To date, Hatate has made 174 appearances for Celtic, scoring 32 goals and providing 31 assists. His contributions often dictate the tempo of games and drive the team forward.
However, inconsistency this season has sometimes limited his impact. His contract runs until 2028, giving Celtic full control over any transfer decisions. By the summer, with two years left on his deal, clubs may decide whether to make a move.
That said, this is not the right time to sell. Martin O’Neill’s side are battling for the league title, leaving no room to weaken the squad.
Celtic have already faced criticism for a lack of January signings, and losing Hatate now, even for a substantial fee, could send the wrong message at a critical point in the season.
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