Celtic and O’Neill ready to sell Hatate with £8.5m replacement deal accelerating

Celtic are now ready to move Reo Hatate on before the end of the summer transfer window, with Martin O’Neill already eyeing up his Parkhead replacement.

The Hoops have plenty to concentrate on away from the transfer market, as they prepare for the second leg of their Champions League play-off against LASK.

Celtic put themselves in a commanding position with a 3-0 victory at Parkhead in the first leg, with Camilo Duran scoring twice as O’Neill’s side took a huge step towards reaching the league phase.

LASK created opportunities in Glasgow and had two efforts ruled out for offside, meaning Celtic cannot afford to approach the return fixture believing qualification is already secured.

Reaching the Champions League proper would also be significant financially, and Hatate could still have a role to play in getting them there.

Hatate was involved in the first leg, coming off the bench for the final 25 minutes, but the Japanese midfielder’s days in Glasgow are now numbered.

Celtic ready to sell Reo Hatate

According to Football Insider, Celtic and O’Neill have now made the decision to sell Hatate before the transfer deadline.

It is claimed that the midfielder has “no future” under O’Neill after falling down the pecking order towards the end of last season. He failed to start Celtic’s final seven league games of the previous campaign and wasn’t included in the squad when they secured the title against Hearts.

Mika Baur has already arrived from Paderborn, while Football Insider state that the Hoops are advancing in talks over Slovan Liberec midfielder Ermin Mahmic, with a package potentially worth £8.5m being discussed.

Adding someone like Mahmic would only push Hatate even further down the pecking order, with Celtic now open to offers for the Japan international.

It would potentially bring an end to what has, overall, been a hugely successful spell in Scotland. Whatever happens over the final days of the window, Hatate’s Celtic career should not be judged on his difficult final months.

He joined from Kawasaki Frontale in January 2022 and immediately made an impression. Hatate scored twice and provided an assist in a memorable 3-0 Glasgow derby victory over Rangers, quickly establishing himself as an important part of Ange Postecoglou’s midfield.

Then, his 2022/23 campaign was arguably his finest. Hatate was selected in the PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year and nominated for the division’s Player of the Year award.

His technical ability, progressive passing, energy and willingness to arrive around the penalty area made him particularly dangerous at his best.

However, there has clearly been a significant change in his standing under O’Neill.

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has been critical of the midfielder’s attitude during his difficult spell. Sutton called Hatate a “top player” but also said he had effectively “sulked” during the season as his role diminished, while Hatate’s performances and body language became a talking point as he slipped down the midfield hierarchy.

There is statistical evidence of his reduced influence – after scoring 10 Premiership goals in 2024/25, Hatate managed only two in the league last season, while his minutes dropped from 2,405 to 1,734.

However, at his peak, Hatate was one of Celtic’s most technically gifted midfielders and played a significant role in one of the club’s most successful recent periods.

Celtic should soon be preparing for a Champions League campaign, O’Neill is reshaping his midfield and Hatate seemingly wants the opportunity to play regularly elsewhere, so his substitute appearance against LASK could be his last in green and white.