Journalist explains why Celtic star is snookering himself out of summer transfer
A journalist has issued an update on Celtic's transfer plans and the future of Reo Hatate. Hatate has been welcomed back into the team by Martin O'Neill, who brought the wantaway midfielder on in each of the qualifiers.
Hatate didn't set the world alight in the second leg, but he was one of the few respectable performers aside from giving away a penalty that was saved, bringing some much-needed balance and smartness on the ball.
But the Japan international, who was regularly left out of the squad in the back end of last season due to poor form, seems to want a move away, even with O'Neill saying he would be happy to keep the midfielder if he is willing to knuckle down and rediscover his best form.
Providing an update on the situation, journalist Scott Burns said on Hotline Live: "It also depends if they can sell players before then as well because Reo Hatate, everyone knows, wants to leave.
“A bid needs to come in for him at a suitable level. For him, he wants to go to a top five league, so Celtic could still sell players and still invest in this window.”
The tricky part for Celtic is that Hatate has now been in the form of a top five league player, so offers are unlikely to come from those leagues. Even Arne Engels, who cost £22million after having a superb season of last, had to settle for a Championship club, while Daizen Maeda, who has also been conisistent, did get a top league club, but joined newly promoted Ipswich Town.
Hatate is extremely unlikely to get a Premier League job, and the other top leagues also look to be out of the question, perhaps with the exception of Ligue 1 if there is an interested club. The Japan international may be better served getting his head down, putting in a good run of form and earning a significant move in January or next summer.
Meanwhile, Celtic are searching for new midfielders, and they should be able to get at least one, along with a left-back and goalkeeper.
Asked about whether Celtic can spend without Hatate leaving, Burns added: "They’ve got funds in the bank. They shouldn’t need to sell first of all anyway, but obviously the Champions League is massive for them in terms of boosting the finances and they’ve not got that now.”
Celtic have until September 3 to wrap up their business, but UEFA squad rules mean any new signings who want to play in the Europa League must be registered by 11pm on September 2, which effectively brings forward the Hoops' deadline.
