Celtic actually only have three players out of contract in the summer.
Of course, Greg Taylor is the big one with the left-back looking increasingly likely to leave Parkhead having spent six years at the club.
Manager Brendan Rodgers and Sky Sports pundit Chris Sutton both want Taylor to stay, but ultimately the decision rests with the former Kilmarnock star.
Daniel Cummings and Joey Dawson are also out of contract soon, with Jeffrey Schlupp set to leave at the end of his loan deal from Crystal Palace.
So why has Rodgers been quizzed about the future of Reo Hatate and his contract if he still has two years on his current deal to go?
Udinese-linked Reo Hatate talks with Celtic expected
Well, the £10m rated Hatate has been linked with Udinese in the last day or so and there is talk the 27-year-old is keen for a new challenge elsewhere.
Hatate has been fantastic for the Bhoys this season and ever since he joined the club under Ange Postecoglou. So there’s no surprise Rodgers will have an appetite to keep him.
Quizzed on Hatate’s future, the Celtic boss said at his Friday press conference: “I think the club will always sit down with the representatives and I think Michael (Nicholson) will be doing that over the coming months with all the players. And I’m sure agents will be coming in to see him as well.
“A really gifted player and this his fourth season here, we’ll see what that looks like in the summer.”
Rodgers continued after being asked if Hatate’s efforts in a Celtic jersey sometimes go unnoticed: “There’s absolutely no doubt he’s a big talent.
“He’s obviously a bit later in age now but maybe some clubs look at him and think he’s at the wrong end of the asset age, they tend to go for that younger player.
“For me, he’s an absolutely outstanding player. The way he takes the ball, he’s prepared to play that risky pass. He’s got goals.
“A really gifted player, it took me a wee while to get inside his mind but he’s absolutely superb. Certainly not underestimated by us because he’s been really, really good this year.”
Hatate received summer 2024 interest
Celtic fans may remember last August that the Hoops did everything to keep Hatate after the sale of Matt O’Riley to Brighton & Hove Albion.
It was reported an unnamed French team has lodged a £10m bid for the Japanese midfielder, which obviously Celtic rejected.
The Daily Mail broke that story and added in their report that Hatate was in no rush to leave Parkhead last summer.
So, will Hatate be in a different school of thought this year? Would a potential move to Serie A with Udinese attract him? Or can Celtic persuade him to sign a contract extension?
Questions, questions, questions.
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