Celtic’s reported interest in Reo Hatate has set hares off running in a variety of directions.
On the plus side interest in a J-League left-back who’ll be out of contract in January seems perfectly plausible but the source of the claim isn’t quite so clear cut.
In just five months on Twitter Marco Mollo has almost 12,000 followers while following less than 100 accounts. In any terms that is very impressive, an account that has made an impact and caused a stir.
According to Transfermarkt Hatate is out of contract at the end of January which allows him to sign a deal now with any non-Japanese club.
The transfer window opens in less than two months, Hatate and other J-League players are likely to be linked with Celtic.
Kawasaki Frontale won their fourth J League title yesterday.
Reo Hatate bawling his eyes out after the match.
A sign of saying goodbye?#ReoHatate#Celticpic.twitter.com/N4HSGGAZ8Q— Yuri (@yurixlax) November 4, 2021
So what I’ve heard from @MarcoMolla is that he expects Reo Hatate is to extend his contract at Kawasaki Frontale before likely joining Celtic.
The Japanese side won the J League title today & it was noted that Hatate was very emotional & visibly in tears follow this… A sign?
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) November 3, 2021
Kawasaki-Celtic deal regarding Reo Hatate confirmed. Details will be official in few days.
— FCTOKYO_WATCH (@FctokyoEn) November 3, 2021
Reo Hatate & Daizen Maeda look to be Celtic’s main targets for January
Reo Hatate – Plays in a number of different positions from what I am hearing.
– He plays left back, but won’t solve the LB problems.
– Number 10 role is his best position.
– Plays CM.
— Celtic feed (@FeedCeltic) November 3, 2021
?? | Reo Hatate
Celtic are close to completing a deal with Kawasaki Frontale for Japanese left-back Reo Hatate.
The 23 year old has 8 G/A this season & is part of the best defence in the J League where his side are running away with the title.
[@MarcoMolla] pic.twitter.com/a39OpRgnJR
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) November 3, 2021
This Sports Hochi (a popular daily sports tabloid) article seems to be the origin of Celtic making a move for Hatate and Maeda, but doesn’t offer sourcing beyond “it is our understanding that…”
Pretty thin when you can’t even say “an official said,” but still early in the day. https://t.co/Exkm7JzHzt
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) November 3, 2021
This account in particular is looking for interactions. As I’ve said before I don’t doubt Maeda is in the works, but UK media are going to have the inside track on this – not Japanese media who are generally the last to know, or at least the last to write about it. https://t.co/Rm2n8TNEbo
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) November 3, 2021
UK media will chase anything from a mile away if they get a whiff of it. Japanese media won’t write a rumor until someone in the club leaks that it’s a done deal.
Remember, none of the Japanese media had ????s to Ange about the Celtic rumors. It had to be us foreign writers.
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) November 3, 2021
