Celtic expected to sign World Cup star

One of a number of Celtic players who could move on from Parkhead before the end of the summer transfer window is central midfielder Reo Hatate.

The Japan international fell out of favour under Martin O’Neill towards the end of the 2025/26 campaign, and only started 19 matches in the Scottish Premiership in total.

He was an unused substitute in four of his last seven appearances in the matchday squad, before being left out of the squad for the SFA Cup final win over Dunfermline at Hampden Park last month.

The Herald reported earlier this month that the Japanese star, who was not included in his country’s squad for the World Cup, has told Celtic that he wants to make a transfer away from the club this summer.

Hatate has two years left on his contract with the Premiership champions, and it remains to be seen how much they will demand for his services in the coming weeks.

Celtic are expected to complete signing of World Cup star

The 28-year-old star, who scored two goals in the league last season, may not be able to leave until the club are able to get a replacement through the door ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Hatate will, therefore, be pleased to learn that the Scottish giants are reportedly looking to bring in a midfield star who is currently playing at the World Cup.

According to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, Celtic are going to sign Astana central midfielder Ivan Basic in the summer transfer window.

He claims that O’Neill wants to sign the 19-cap Bosnia international and that it will be a simple transfer to get over the line after he returns from the World Cup.

Speaking to Football Insider, Wyness said: “Martin O’Neill quite likes him from what I understand. So I think that it will get done. It’s pretty straightforward to get done.

“It’s amazing that Celtic and Astana are now trading players. I think that will be one that will get done, and I think Basic will be quite a big hit in Scotland as well.”

“If he has a great World Cup, of course, they’re going to squeeze Celtic for more, but still, they’re going to do their best. I’ll be watching him closely in the next few games and the group stages to see how he looks.”

Celtic can wave bye to Reo Hatate by signing Ivan Basic

If the Hoops complete this deal, as Wyness expects, they could wave bye to Hatate without worrying about the depth or quality of their midfield options without him in their squad.

Celtic may want to have a player in the building before they allow the Japan international to leave, to ensure that they are not left scrambling for a replacement late in the window.

Basic’s form in the Kazakhstan Premier League so far in 2026 suggests that the potential is there for him to be an ideal replacement for Hatate, if he can adapt to the Premiership and deliver quality performances in Scotland.

The Bosnian star, who has been tipped to be a “big hit” in Scotland by Wyness, has provided as many assists in ten league games in 2026 as Hatate managed in 30 matches in the Premiership last term.

Their respective number of ball recoveries per game and duel success rates also suggest that the 24-year-old talent would offer more to O’Neill’s side with his contributions off the ball.

That is further backed up by Basic’s performance for Bosnia against Canada at the World Cup, as he made three ball recoveries and two interceptions without being dribbled past a single time in his country’s group stage opener.

The Celtic target also showcased his quality on the ball in that match, creating a game-high five chances for his teammates, which shows that he can deliver under pressure on the world’s biggest stage.

Therefore, Basic could be a brilliant addition to Celtic’s squad as a box-to-box midfield option for O’Neill, allowing Hatate’s wish to leave the club to be granted in the process.