Stephen McGowan has revealed that Celtic have turned down a £10m offer for Reo Hatate from an un-named French club.
With Matt O’Riley sold to Brighton earlier this week and Manchester City linked to Kyogo Furuhashi the last thing that Brendan Rodgers wants is to lose another of his trusted starters.
Hatate joined Celtic in January 2022, the same window that unearthed O’Riley but while the former MK Dons man turned in an outstanding campaign last season under Rodgers the former Kawasaki midfielder was troubled throughout the season by muscular injuries.
With less than two days to go in the Transfer Window Celtic are expected to be busy signing players but according to the Daily Mail that won’t be balanced by the sale of Hatate:
Celtic have told Reo Hatate he is not for sale after dismissing a £10million offer from France for the Japanese midfielder.
Matt O’Riley left for Brighton for a record fee of £25million plus add ons earlier this week.
Unwilling to discuss the sale of another important player in the current window, Mail Sport understands the Parkhead club refused to discuss an approach from an unnamed Ligue 1 club earlier this week.
An enquiry from Russian side Zenit St Petersburg was also rejected last month, while English Premier League side Leicester City failed to firm up their interest with a formal offer.
Under contract until 2028, 26-year-old Hatate is in no rush to leave Glasgow. A goalscorer in two of Celtic’s three league games so far, the Japanese international will not be leaving before Friday’s 11pm deadline.
How many signings will Celtic make in the last 10 days of the Transfer Window
Zero or one signing at a notoriously difficult time
Two permanent signings from the CEO
Three or more non project signings
At the age of 26 Hatate is three years older than O’Riley but it could be argued that he is every but as important to the functioning of Rodgers’ team.
If the Japanese internationalist can stay injury free this season there is bound to be further interest next summer but for now it seems that Hatate will be staying at Celtic with the new look Champions League giving him eight matches to test himself against the best sides in Europe.

This comes out straight after the news is that the Polish guy ain’t coming
Hmmmmmm