Celtic plan to open contract extension talks with Reo Hatate’s agent

The Celtic Star

·10 maggio 2025

Celtic plan to open contract extension talks with Reo Hatate’s agent

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Celtic are preparing to open talks with Reo Hatate over a potential contract extension…

Reo Hatate at Ibrox. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

With two years remaining on his current deal in Glasgow, the Japanese midfielder is said to be on the radar of Serie A club Udinese, who are eyeing a substantial summer bid for the Celtic star.

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Scouts from Udinese were in attendance on 12 April as Rodgers’ men cruised to a 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock, with Hatate likely catching their attention after scoring twice.

Brendan Rodgers is well aware that interest in Celtic’s top players will intensify over the coming few months

Rodgers is well aware that interest in Celtic’s top players will intensify, with clubs likely lining up to try and lure them away from the Scottish champions. The 27-year-old has also attracted attention from multiple clubs, with interest reportedly coming from teams in both France and Germany.

Cameron Carter-Vickers celebrates with fellow goalscorer Reo Hatate after scoring to give Celtic a 3-0 lead. Celtic v Kilmarnock, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 12 April 2025. IMAGO Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Since arriving from Kawasaki Frontale in December 2021 for only £1.4 million, Hatate has racked up 26 goals and 28 assists across 140 appearances for Celtic. He has already collected four Premiership titles, two League Cups, and two Scottish Cups – with a chance to add a third Scottish Cup to his trophy haul later this month.

Reo Hatate among players to meet Michael Nicholson for contract extension talks

However, Rodgers acknowledged that Hatate is likely among the players CEO Michael Nicholson plans to meet with, along with his representatives, this summer. The Irishman revealed he has finally been able to connect with Hatate, praising the midfielder’s exceptional technical skills, even though he often goes unnoticed amid transfer talk.

Reo Hatate of Celtic is challenged by Dylan Levitt of Hibernian during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on March 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rodgers said: “I think for Reo, I can feel for him a little bit, especially in the first few years, there’s been a little bit of inconsistency there.

“There’s absolutely no doubt he’s a big talent”

“There’s absolutely no doubt he’s a big talent. He’s a bit later in age now, even though he’s 27, maybe some clubs think he’s at the wrong end of the asset age, and they tend to go for younger players. But for me, he’s an absolutely outstanding player.

“How he protects the ball, how he’s prepared to play the risk pass. He’s got goals, he can take the ball. I think the challenge for him has been sometimes in that really busy period when there are three games a week, and in that third game, there’s a bit of tiredness that sets in.

Reo Hatate. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“You see him now, especially when there’s one game a week, he’s so good. A really gifted player”

“You see him now, especially when there’s one game a week, he’s so good. A really gifted player. It took me a wee while to get inside him and his mind and everything else, but he’s absolutely superb. He’s certainly not underestimated by us because he’s been really, really good this year.

“I think the club will always sit down with the representatives, and I know we’ll be doing that over the course of these coming months with all the players and the negotiations. I’m sure agents will be coming in to see him as well. But yes, Reo’s a really gifted player and this is his fourth season here.”

Reo Hatate with the Premier Sports Cup after Celtic’s victory over theRangers on 15 December 2024 at Hampden Park. Photo Kenny Ramsay

Reo Hatate has been a mainstay of the Celtic midfield this season alongside Callum McGregor and Arne Engels.

Watch Brendan’s mainstream media conference below…

Conor Spence

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