West Ham are reportedly eyeing Reo Hatate as a replacement for Lucas Paqueta.
The Hammers, who have recently appointed ex-Rangers recruitment chief Nils Koppen to a similar role, appear to be keeping a close eye on the Scottish market.
Celtic’s Arne Engels has also been reported as a target for the East London club, as has Michel-Ange Balikwisha, believe it or not.
But Hatate is the most realistic option of the trio, given his relative lack of interest and outspoken ambition to leave.
🗣️ Reo Hatate confirms his desire to leave Celtic…
West Ham eye Reo Hatate as replacement for Lucas Paqueta
The i Paper reports that Koppen is attracted by Hatate’s “precise passing sensibilities and versatility across midfield”.
They add that he could fill the creative void left by Lucas Paqueta, who was signed from Lyon for a £51 million package four years ago.
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The Brazil international was their record transfer, and completed a £35 million move to Flamengo in the winter window.
West Ham aren’t short on cash, having also sold Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville for a combined £145 million this summer.
Hatate is also expected to leave, but has voiced his intention to play in a top-five league in Europe. He would be compromising on this ambition by heading to the London Stadium.
However, the financial weight and likely promotion back to the lucrative Premier League is still likely to make the move an appealing one.
The midfielder was bombed out of Martin O’Neill’s squad for the final couple of games of the 2026-27 season, and the interim boss has since agreed a permanent stay.
This theoretically left the writing on the wall for Hatate, who has been linked with an exit for years since his emergence as a star player under Ange Postecoglou.
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Reo Hatate ‘not satisfied’ with Celtic career
Earlier this month, Hatate told Japanese outlet FERGUS: “I’m not saying I’m satisfied, but I have had the opportunity to play in the Champions League and other high-level leagues.
“I still haven’t been able to play at such a high level for an entire season.
“I still have that desire to play there. I would like to play in one of the top five leagues, and if possible, in the Europa League or Champions League.
“My goal is to be able to play in a league where I can do that.”
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