Exclusive: Celtic’s Reo Hatate transfer plan revealed with three weeks left for deal
Celtic have no intention of letting midfielder Reo Hatate leave amid recent links with Palmeiras, sources have told Football Insider.
Hatate was offered to Palmeiras through intermediaries last week, in a move that is understood to have caught the hierarchy at Celtic Park off guard, despite the Brazilian outfit ultimately rejecting the offer.
Martin O’Neill believes that the 28-year-old still has a big part to play as his team chase the Scottish Premiership title in the second half of the season, and as a result, Hatate will not be allowed to leave unless an irrefutable offer is received.
Celtic want to keep the entirety of their squad intact until the end of the season, before a significant summer of change is anticipated as they prepare to appoint a new manager.
Celtic still face three-week Reo Hatate threat
Hatate’s performances have frustrated Celtic fans so far this term, as his influence on the team has gradually waned since he first arrived back in 2021-22.
The Japan international managed 14 goal contributions to help his team on their way to the league title last term, but he has registered just three from his opening 20 appearances this time around.
Hatate has fallen below the likes of Arne Engels and Benjamin Nygren since O’Neill’s return to the dugout, and he now hasn’t started a league game since 10 January.
The initial links regarding a potential move to Palmeiras appear to have come to nothing for Hatate at first, but Celtic still have reason to fear his departure for another three weeks.
The Brazilian transfer window doesn’t close until 3 March, meaning there is still plenty of time for Palmeiras or another potential suitor to come forward with a genuine offer to Celtic.
O’Neill and Co. worked hard to fend off Premier League interest from Engels in the final stages of the January window, and they may now need to do the same once again to ensure they keep Hatate.
Bhoys will accept cut-price Arne Engels offer in summer
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday that Celtic will likely accept an offer for Arne Engels in the summer that is lower than the £25million tabled by Nottingham Forest for him on transfer deadline day.
The Belgian was subject to heavy interest from the Premier League side in the final hours of the winter window, as the Bhoys swatted away three separate bids due to the lack of time available to secure a replacement.
However, it is seen as being far more likely that Engels could leave if there is interest in the summer, as Celtic would have far more time to work with on their own additions.
It is seen as a “realistic” possibility that Celtic could accept an offer for the 22-year-old at the end of the season, but it is highly unlikely to that a club will reach a similar fee to the one that Forest offered.
The Reds were desperate to add a new midfielder to their group to aid boost their survival hopes, and as a result, they tried to tempt the selling club with a hugely lucrative offer.