Key Points
- Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate is set for a Parkhead exit as the club look to move him on before the transfer window closes.
- The 28-year-old Japan international has clearly communicated his desire to leave Glasgow to seek a new challenge.
- Celtic have rejected multiple bids for Hatate, including proposals from Greek giants Panathinaikos, as well as unnamed clubs in the Austrian Bundesliga and Major League Soccer (MLS).
- Hatate has personally turned down the current offers on the table, holding out for a move to one of Europe’s top five leagues.
- The midfielder has two years remaining on his contract, having signed a five-year extension back in September 2023.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) August 24, 2026 — Scottish champions Celtic are prepared to force midfielder Reo Hatate out of the Parkhead exit door despite a series of rejected bids for the Japanese international, as the club look to resolve his future before the summer transfer deadline.The 28-year-old has made it clear from the very start of the transfer window that he wishes to secure a move away from Glasgow. However, no suitable transfer has materialised thus far. Celtic have received concrete offers from Greek Super League side Panathinaikos for Hatate’s services, alongside formal approaches from unnamed teams in the Austrian league and MLS, but the Hoops have knocked back all incoming proposals. The Japan international still has two years remaining on his current Parkhead deal.
As reported by Stephen McGowan of The Herald, Panathinaikos submitted a lucrative proposal to convince Hatate to make the switch to Athens, but the player opted against taking up the offer. Additionally, as reported by Daily Record, Panathinaikos were willing to offer the playmaker a substantial wage increase to headline their squad overhaul following a disappointing domestic campaign.
Despite the financial incentives on offer from Greece, Austria, and the United States, the midfielder has rejected the options currently available, preferring to hold out for a high-profile move to one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Celtic remain open to selling the midfielder to clear space and funds for incoming targets under manager Martin O’Neill. Having already brought in German midfielder Mika Baur from Paderborn and sanctioned the big-money sale of Arne Engels to West Ham United, the Hoops hierarchy are actively restructuring their engine room.
Why Is Reo Hatate Pushing for a Celtic Exit?
Since arriving in Glasgow from Kawasaki Frontale in January 2022 under former manager Ange Postecoglou, Hatate has established himself as a fan favorite and a major driver of domestic success. Over 189 appearances in green and white, the midfielder has collected five Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups, and two Scottish League Cups.
However, Hatate’s standing in the first team has shifted considerably over recent months. Following managerial changes and minor injury setbacks, the playmaker saw his starting opportunities restricted under Martin O’Neill during the run-in of the previous campaign, famously starting just one match in the final weeks of the season.
Having achieved virtually every domestic honor available in Scottish football, the 28-year-old believes the time is right to test himself in a top-five European league.
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Background of the Particular Development
Reo Hatate’s contract status provided Celtic with strong leverage at the negotiating table when initial inquiries began. In September 2023, Hatate signed a long-term five-year contract extension binding him to the Parkhead side until the summer of 2028. That deal was seen as a major statement of intent by Celtic to protect their asset’s market value.
However, the dynamics changed significantly following a summer of major roster turnover. Celtic sold Belgian playmaker Arne Engels to Premier League side West Ham United for a reported £22 million-to-£25 million fee, while simultaneously bolstering their squad with new arrivals like Mika Baur.
With Hatate increasingly finding himself on the periphery of O’Neill’s tactical plans and entering the final two years of his contract, Celtic’s board recognized that this transfer window represents the peak valuation window to recoup a substantial fee before his contract length diminishes further.
Prediction: How Will This Development Affect Celtic and Its Stakeholders?
The ongoing standoff between Celtic and Reo Hatate is set to impact multiple key groups across the club as deadline day approaches:
- For the Celtic Squad and Coaching Staff: The departure of a tenured playmaker like Hatate removes a proven big-game performer from the dressing room. However, resolving the situation allows Martin O’Neill to focus entirely on integrating new midfield additions like Mika Baur without the distraction of an unhappy player. It also frees up transfer funds and squad space to pursue remaining targets, including rumored defensive and wide options.
- For the Celtic Supporters: The Hoops faithful will likely view Hatate’s departure with mixed emotions. While his technical brilliance and memorable derby goals created lasting memories, fans generally prefer a quick resolution to transfer sagas so the club can re-invest funds effectively for domestic and European campaigns.
- For Reo Hatate: Holding out for a top-five European league move carries tactical risk. If a elite-five league club fails to meet Celtic’s valuation before the deadline, Hatate risks remaining at Parkhead as a fringe player until the January window, which could impact his international standing with the Japanese national team.
