Reo Hatate to surely submit transfer request after ‘agreement’, Celtic replacement already lined up
Celtic are continuing to seek improvements to their squad despite the winter transfer window closing on Monday.
With the Hoops looking to secure another Scottish Premiership title this season, Martin O’Neill has a massive task on his hands if he is to pip Hearts and Rangers to the summit.
As a result, numerous new faces have been brought into Celtic Park over the past month, in order to catch the Jam Tarts.
Recently, it has been revealed that Celtic are looking to bring in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. However, this could spell the end of Reo Hatate’s time at the Hoops.
Reo Hatate to request Celtic departure as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain closes in
Hatate has had a difficult season at Celtic to date.
The 28-year-old central midfielder has had a mixed run of form and is now more often seen coming off the bench.
This comes after Celtic fans blasted Hatate’s performances, particularly after their 2-0 defeat to Motherwell under Wilfried Nancy.
Now, with Oxlade-Chamberlain on the verge of joining the Hoops, the Japan international’s game time will likely be reduced once more.
As a result, there seems to be a high chance that Hatate submits a transfer request in the summer, especially if Celtic takes up the option to extend Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contract until 2027.
🚨⚪️🟢 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Celtic, here we go! Verbal agreement in place for the midfielder.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 6, 2026
He’s in Glasgow today for new chapter on six month deal plus option to extend, as @AnthonyRJoseph reports. pic.twitter.com/y0MeUVi6WV
With the midfielder hitting the prime of his career, there is little chance he will want to be a benchwarmer, especially with a spot in the Japan National Team at stake.
Therefore, with Oxlade-Chamberlain looking like Hatate’s replacement in the team, it is unlikely he sticks around too much longer.
Does Hatate deserve a second chance?
While Hatate has put in numerous poor performances this campaign, he has produced some good stats.
According to Fotmob on 6 February, in the Scottish Premiership, he is averaging 1.37 shots, a 0.31 xA, 2.09 chances created and an 82.9 per cent passing accuracy per match.
On top of this, he is also helping out defensively, winning possession in the final third 0.72 times per match.
| Reo Hatate’s stats in the Scottish Premiership this season | Per 90 minutes |
| Goals | 0.07 |
| Shots | 1.37 |
| xA | 0.31 |
| Assists | 0.14 |
| Chances created | 2.09 |
| Passing accuracy | 82.9% |
| Possession won in final third | 0.72 |
Therefore, there is every chance that Hatate can still play a significant role this season if he is given a chance by O’Neill.
However, it remains to be seen if this opportunity comes, that he will take it, or if he will make another poor and potentially costly mistake as Celtic hunt for the Scottish Premiership title.