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Sky Sports claim Reo Hatate has told J-League champions Kawasaki Frontale that he wants to leave the club and complete a move to Celtic, ahead of the January transfer window.
Hatate, 24, sparkled in Frontale’s 2021 campaign that has eventually seen them crowned champions of Japanese football. It sees Frontale retain the title, having won last season – and in 2017, and 2018.
Predominantly a left-back, Hatate can play as a left-winger, in the middle of the park or even as a 10. His incredible versatility has not gone unnoticed, with Ange Postecoglou keen to bring him to Celtic.
Having signed Kyogo Furuhashi from Japanese football, Postecoglou wants to chance his arm again – with three being linked. Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi and Hatate are all supposedly targets.
Now, Hatate – who was part of Japan’s Olympics side in the summer – has told his club he wants to leave and join Celtic. Personal terms are not expected to be an issue for Celtic or Hatate.
Hatate to Celtic: Japanese ace could be ideal option on the bench
Having players with the ability to cover numerous positions is perfect for the bench. It allows Postecoglou to cover central midfield, left-back and left wing behind him in the dugout.
Is Hatate good enough? Celtic bought Kyogo for around £5million – but the likes of Ideguchi, Maeda and Hatate and not expected to cost anything near that fee, combined.
But called up to the Japan squad recently, Hatate certainly provides competition at left-back. A useful signing.
