Celtic expert: Reo Hatate will be ‘poached’ by a Premier League club within weeks
Celtic star Reo Hatate will be “poached” by a Premier League side.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie is hopeful Hatate will stay at Parkhead for one more year.
The 25-year-old’s current contract runs until 2026 after joining from Kawaski Frontale last January.
According to journalist Sami Mokbel, as relayed by Everything Celtic (12 June), Tottenham are monitoring the midfielder.
Hatate had an impressive first full season in Glasgow and made 45 appearances across all competitions for the Hoops, netting nine goals and providing 11 assists in those outings.
Former Parkhead boss Ange Postecoglou brought Hatate to Glasgow and is believed to be keen for the Japan international to join him at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
McAvennie isn’t surprised by the interest in Hatate but is not worried about his departure yet.
“If you are a good player you are going to get poached by the Premier League,” he told Football Insider.
“I think Hatate would be an excellent player down there, he is similar to [Kaoru] Mitoma at Brighton.
“I just hope we get another year out of Hatate. He is a great player but he is not the finished article yet. If he waits another year he will do down there a better player and be able to hold his own.
“It is a hard place to go and play football. I think if we get another year out of Hatate I will be delighted.“
In other news, Celtic set block Tottenham deal as Ange Postecoglou clause emerges.