Time is right for Celtic to cash in on Nicolas Kuhn and Reo Hatate

The Celtic Star

·9 aprile 2025

Time is right for Celtic to cash in on Nicolas Kuhn and Reo Hatate

As a club Celtic has become extremely efficient, even ruthless when it comes to cashing in on our top players when their values are at their highest…

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)

Kyogo sale to Rennes a perfect example

That was perfectly illustrated in the January window when we profited from Kyogo’s transfer to Rennes at a time we had gotten the very best out of him, and sold him on for a profit, bringing an other £10m into the Parkhead coffers.

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Rennes annonce Kyogo. Photo Rennes FC

This summer I can see us doing the same when it comes to two players in particular. Those players who I reckon probably want to leave and who Celtic will possibly agree that it’s their time to go are Reo Hatate and Nicolas Kuhn.

Nicolas Kuhn scores past Manuel Neuer during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

If there aren’t any plans there definitely should be

Well if there aren’t any plans there definitely should be as it looks like both have their minds elsewhere these past few weeks, certainly since the Champions League heartache in Munich when we can so close but ultimately fell at the final hurdle.

Both players are very talented and have contributed to the club massively, Reo in particular, but unless you’ve had your head buried in the sand, you will know that both have their minds elsewhere, as their recent performances on the park will tell you.

Reo Hatate and Marcus Fraser during the Scottish Premiership match between St Mirren and Celtic in Paisley on 1st March 2025. Photo Mark Runnacles Shutterstock

Reo has made no secret of his ambitions to play in a top five league

Reo Hatate has made no secret of his desire to test his talents in one of the bigger leagues and may feel that it will be now or never this summer, whilst Nicolas’s stunning form early on in the campaign, particularly in Europe has seen his stock rise with several clubs making their interest known, which has seemed to have turned his head massively.

Again since starring in Munich he’s been a shadow of his former self and it would be a surprise if he starts on Saturday against Kilmarnock, given the mood Brendan was in after the game in Perth on Sunday.

Yes they are two superb players who would be a huge loss, but if they would rather be elsewhere then it makes perfect sense to cash in now, and invest the money in quality players who will add to the side, but more importantly want to be here for the next few seasons at least.

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Celtic in good position with contracts to ensure maximum transfer values

Reo is contracted to 2028 and at 27 he’s entering the peak of his career, so the ball is firmly in the club’s court when it comes to negotiating a transfer fee. Similar to Nicolas who is 25 and contracted to 2029 and could fetch a transfer fee matching the sum secured from Brighton for Matt O’Riley last summer.

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, McDiarmid Park, Perth, 06 April 2025. Stuart Wallace . Photo IMAGO/Shutterstock

In my opinion, the time to cash in on both Reo Hatate and Nicolas Kuhn is fast approaching, and we can use the funds to bring in two or maybe more quality replacements. This Celtic side clearly needs a re-set and no-one will know that more that our elite manager, Brendan Rodgers.

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