Celtic are reported to be on the verge of completing the signing of Reo Hatate from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale.
The versatile left-sided player is out of contract on February 1 according to Transfermarkt with no more club commitment before that date.
Hatate has been strongly linked with Celtic since the start of November with the break in the J-League season giving all parties the time to complete the formalities.
At 8.40 this morning The Sun reported:
CELTIC are on the verge of completing a deal for Japanese star Reo Hatate. The Hoops have been locked in talks with Kawasaki Frontale over a fee for the 24-year-old utility man.
Sources in Japan now claim an agreement in principle for Hatate’s transfer has been reached. Frontale’s season finished on Sunday after the J-League champions were knocked out of the Emperor’s Cup at the semi-final stage.
They romped to the league title, beating Ange Postecoglou’s former side Yokohama F Marinos by a whopping 13 points, and clinching a place in the AFC Champions League. Hatate, who can play at left-back, in midfield or on the wing, is now free to finalise his move.
International clearance from the football authorities and a work permit will have to be processed but they should be formalities although highly unlikely to be completed over the weekend of January 1 and 2.
Celtic have fielded a variety of players on the left this season but with uncertainty over the future of Jota and Greg Taylor recently signing a contract extension the addition of Hatate looks like a significant element of Postecoglou’s squad makeover.
CLICK HERE for Hatate Transfermarkt update.
The Sun says he can play at left back. Thus us untrue. The player is absolutely not a left back, he is a midfielder who can play on the wing. He is no more a left back than Joe Hart is a number 9. He once played at left back to fill in and had to be managed throughout for he is not naturally a defensive player but he operates in the midfield or wide areas.
Celtic will cope with the players they have should have scored more against motherwell rogic should have had a hatrick Kelly brought of good stops one amazing save from turnbull ref very poor on both sides corner kick retake is an embarrassment for all letting a man referee a professorial fame
Agreed. This referee is totally incompetent.
Motherwell are a organised and and actually went past halfway line but most of there chance came from through ins and dead ball crosses into box celtic defended well except when Carter missed headed a ballin air and should have gave a penalty with three refs in spl mikey Johnstone is a good player his confidence is low forrest wot take a hit or challenge for ball defenders just growel and he’s running pity cause he is our top winger he knows he gets no protection from refs and linesmen