McGowan reveals that the door is open for new Hatate deal

Reo Hatate may end up extending his Celtic contract but he won’t be signing any new deal this month.

A report in The Sun late on Tuesday night claimed that the midfielder had turned down the offer of a new extended Celtic contract.

With his current deal running until May 2026 there is no immediacy about Hatate’s Celtic contract but with a change of management there is always some turbulence and issues.

Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Callum McGregor signed extended deals soon after Brendan Rodgers took over from Ange Postecoglou.

In the Daily Mail McGowan writes:

REO HATATE has asked Celtic to place talks over a new contract on hold until the end of the transfer window. 

Representatives for the Japanese international are in discussions with the Scottish champions over an extension to his current deal. 

Celtic want Hatate and Israeli winger Liel Abada to commit to new agreements before the end of the window.

Currently under contract until 2026, figures close to Hatate say he could still commit to a new agreement in Glasgow. 

With his low profile arrival in January 2022 from Kawasaki Frontiers for £800,000 Hatate won’t be among the highest paid players in the Celtic squad.

Celtic will be offering a signifcant pay rise in recognition of Hatate’s contribution to the club but he would have to add an additional year onto his contract.