Personal terms will not be an issue as Celtic close in on completing a deal for Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Reo Hatate, Sky Sports have reported today.
Yesterday, Japanese outlet Hochi reported that Celtic had agreed on terms in principle with Frontale for Hatate’s signature.
Sky Sports now believe the move could be wrapped up “shortly” after the player had a meeting with his club bosses and informed them of his intention to make the switch to Glasgow.
Reo Hatate can make a difference to Celtic first-team
Outlets such as The Scottish Sun have previously reported the fee involved for Hatate could be more than £1m, but still well within the budget of the Bhoys.
Hatate is coming off of a dynamite season in the J-League where he was named in the division’s best XI. He helped his team to a title and into the semi-final of the Emperor’s Cup, which they were knocked out of over the weekend.
He played much of the early part of the season at left-back, but it’s in midfield he’s really shone towards the end of the campaign.
It’s in midfield where is likely to make the most impact at Celtic as Ange Postecoglou looks for another energetic option to support Kyogo Furuhashi in the attack.
Celtic have also been widely linked with moves for forward Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Tadaguchi, however, it’s the pursuit of Hatate that seems to be most advanced right now.
It would be fantastic to get into the squad for the upcoming winter break, preparing for the second half of the season.
In other news, Celtic supporters forced into £15 option this week as Sky Sports shambles continues.
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