Reo Hatate ‘holding out’ for improved offer after rejecting Celtic transfer

Reo Hatate wants to leave Celtic but is not interested in pursuing any of his current options, sources have told Football Insider.

The Japanese midfielder has looked likely to leave Celtic all summer after he lost his place in the starting eleven last season.

He has seen more competition for places arrive after Mika Baur joined the club, while Martin O'Neill remains keen to add more quality to his midfield options.

Hatate was once on the radar of several Premier League sides, but interest has emerged from Greece, Austria and the USA in this window.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, the 28-year-old will not push to join any club that has registered an interest in his services as he waits for a more attractive offer to arrive.

Panathinaikos are one of the clubs keen on Hatate, but he does not want to move to the Greek top flight at this point in his career.

Reo Hatate saga to drag on as Celtic open to offers

Hatate has only featured for 25 minutes off the bench across the Hoops' first four fixtures of the new season.

His time looks to be up at Parkhead, with O'Neill content to see the Japanese international moved on as he targets new signings.

Hatate's transfer saga could drag on until the end of the window if he does not receive an attractive offer, with his Celtic contract not set to expire until 2028.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "It's probably the case that he's holding out for a better offer. Obviously, there has been talk of interest from Panathinaikos in Hatate."

Balazs Toth wants Celtic move as goalkeeper move nears

Celtic are planning to bring in a new goalkeeper before the transfer deadline passes on 1 September.

O'Neill has made it clear that he wants a new stopper to compete with Viljami Sinisalo, and Blackburn man Toth is a top target.

Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Toth is willing to join Celtic as he wants to compete in European competition.

The Hungarian international was one of the best performing goalkeepers in the Championship last season as he kept eight clean sheets in 34 games.