Reo Hatate rejects Greek offer as he eyes top five league move

As widely reported just a few days ago, want-away Celtic star Reo Hatate was the subject of serious interest from Greek Super league side Panathinaikos, who were ready to make a move for the cultured midfielder…

However, it’s now been reported by Stephen McGowan writing in The Herald that the Japanese playmaker has snubbed a lucrative offer from the Greek outfit, as well as offers from the MLS, and Austria, as he holds out for an opportunity to play in one of Europe’s ‘top five’ leagues.

Reo, much like his fellow countryman, and former teammates Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda has a great desire to play in a top league, and isn’t letting money dictate his next career move.

28 year old Hatate who was signed by Ange Postecoglou in early 2022 for the bargain fee of £1.4 million, has made a total of 189 appearances for the club winning 10 major honours with the club.

But his time at the club is now nearing an end, due to his much publicised intention of wanting a different challenge, and it’s fully accepted that his time at the club is all but over.

The club won’t stand in his way, especially since Mika Baur has been signed, with the German under 21 international looking very much a direct replacement for Reo, with his playing style looking very similar to that of the Japanese international,

The price will need to be right of course, as with still two years remaining on his current deal, the club are in the driving seat in terms of a fee, and will rightfully demand top dollar.

It’s difficult to say if he’ll get his wish, but a firing in all cylinders Reo Hatate would grace any top league on the continent, so he may just well get his dream move before the end of the summer transfer window.

Reo appears to have checked out at Celtic and clearly he is not a player that Martin O’Neill favours when selecting his teams. The sending off in Bologna didn’t help but it’s more than that.

The Japan international midfielder has talent in abundance but seems to have a ‘woe is me’ attitude these days as the next big move after Celtic never quite materialised.

Ironically with Celtic short of options in the middle of the park after Arne Engels and not Reo made the move to West Ham this week, Hatate could end up being recalled for the vital Champions League playoff matches against LASK.

Reo Hatate at his best is a class act. He really has to start showing it if that dream move is going to happen. If he is given another chance by Martin O’Neill he should take it. That’s the way to fulfil his own ambitions for the remaining years of his playing career.

At the moment Reo’s just a very good player going to waste.