Reo Hatate has been ‘offered’ to Brazilian giants Palmeiras, according to a report.
The midfielder has been out of Celtic’s starting XI in recent weeks, with Benjamin Nygren and Arne Engels getting the nod instead.
Martin O’Neill is close to adding another midfielder to his squad, as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has his Celtic medical ahead of a free transfer.
This leaves the Hoops with seven clear first-team options. However, the club’s rejection of a loan offer from Denmark for Paulo Bernardo indicates that they aren’t keen on letting anyone go.
Regardless, Hatate’s name is still being floated, with the 28-year-old reportedly considering options elsewhere.
How much would you sell Reo Hatate for?
Celtic star Reo Hatate offered to Brazilian giants
According to Brazilian outlet Nosso Palestra, Hatate’s services have been offered to Palmeiras via intermediaries.
Unlike in the UK and most of Europe, the Brazilian transfer window stays open until the third of March, leaving the door open to an exit for the Japanese international.
READ MORE: Celtic made late push to sign Calvin Miller but ‘dream’ transfer fell through
Palmeiras have already signed midfielder Marlon Freitas from Botafogo during this window, and are in the process of signing Jhon Arias from Wolves for a fee north of £20 million.
Cash-rich from the sale of wonderkids such as Estevao and Endrick, as well as the financial benefits of the Club World Cup, Verdão would have no issue paying Hatate’s asking price.
However, the report says that they are unlikely to pursue a move for the Hoops star at this time, instead prioritising different profiles for their midfield.
Runners-up to Flamengo in both the Brasileiro Serie A and the Copa Libertadores last season, Palmeiras also dipped into the Scottish market in the summer, taking full-back Jefte from Rangers.
Hatate was seen with Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu at Celtic’s Europa League clash with Utrecht, though he hasn’t been called up by the Samurai Blue in over a year.
A move to the Sao Paulo giants could be a boost for his World Cup ambitions. He would follow in the footsteps of Japan legends Keisuke Honda and Kazuyoshi Miura by plying his trade in Brazil.
Celtic also rejected interest in Engels during the window, of course, turning down a £25 million offer from Nottingham Forest.
Darren O’Dea on Celtic man Reo Hatate
On the Go Radio Football Show last week, ex-Celtic player pathways manager Darren O’Dea said that consistency is the biggest commodity for the obviously-talented Hatate.
He said: “His top level is a seriously high ceiling. His biggest challenge is consistency. When he is at his best, he’s as good as anyone.
“But he needs to find that level of consistency. If he has aspirations, either sustain success at Celtic or move on. I think that would be the big question mark over him.
“You have clearly seen there is a temperamental, not issue with him, but he needs to find that. You can’t dip in form, the way he does, and hit the heights that he does.
“So, ultimately, if he finds consistency. He is still a young guy. He has done fantastic for Celtic. But if he wants to go to the next level, I think that’s the biggest thing for him, consistency.”
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