Celtic officially confirmed the departure of long-serving attacker Daizen Maeda last weekend as he completed a move down south to the Premier League.
The Japan international voiced a desire to explore a new challenge with one year remaining on his contract at Parkhead, and the Hoops sanctioned a £10m move to Ipswich Town.
Maeda may not be the only Japanese star who secures a move away from Glasgow before the end of the summer transfer window, though, as Reo Hatate’s future is up in the air.
The central midfielder informed Martin O’Neill that he wanted to explore a new opportunity earlier this summer, but he has yet to find a new club so far.
Why Celtic should cash in on Reo Hatate
Should a reasonable offer come in for the Japan international at the right time, the Scottish Premiership giants should be willing to cash in on Hatate in the coming weeks.
|
Hatate (Premiership) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
37 |
30 |
|
Starts |
27 |
19 |
|
Goals |
10 |
2 |
|
Assists |
4 |
2 |
|
Ground duel success rate |
46% |
42% |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
37% |
33% |
The 28-year-old midfielder’s form in the Premiership dropped off in the 2025/26 campaign as he offered less to the team both on and off the ball than he did in the previous season.
He has become less important to the Hoops over the past 18 months, evidenced by the fact that he was an unused substitute three times and did not start any of the club’s last six league games last term.
So far this summer, Hatate has been an unused substitute against Sporting and played 15 minutes of the club’s 2-2 draw with AC Milan in their last pre-season friendly before the league opener against Dundee.
His desire to leave coupled with his regression on the pitch explains why the club should be open to selling him for the right price before September’s deadline.
£4m target could end Hatate’s Celtic career
The Scottish giants may need to bring in another player in his position first, though, and that is where one of their current transfer targets comes into the picture.
Journalist Christian Vazquez reports that Paderborn central midfielder Mika Baur has requested a move to Celtic and wants his current team to facilitate a transfer for him.
The reporter claims that the Germany U21 international already has a total agreement with the Hoops on personal terms, which means that it is now down to the two clubs to reach an agreement on a fee.
It has been reported elsewhere that a fee of more than £4m will be needed to secure his services, and talks are ongoing between the two sides.
Celtic will be hoping that Baur’s insistence on securing a move to Parkhead will help them in their negotiations with Paderborn, who may not want to end up with an unsettled and unhappy player if a deal is not struck.
A move for the 22-year-old central midfielder could also mean that the end is in sight for Hatate, as another midfielder being brought in would allow the club to cash in on the Japan international without worrying about a lack of depth in his position.
|
25/26 season |
Hatate (SPL) |
Baur (2. BL) |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
30 |
33 |
|
Goals |
2 |
4 |
|
Assists |
2 |
5 |
|
Tackles + interceptions per game |
1.0 |
2.4 |
|
Duels won per game |
1.8 |
2.9 |
|
Ground duel success rate |
42% |
44% |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
33% |
65% |
Baur’s performances for Paderborn in the 2025/26 campaign suggest that he would arrive at Parkhead as a better option for O’Neill in the middle of the park, offering more to the team both on and off the ball.
The Celtic target helped his side to earn promotion to the Bundesliga and proved that he could deliver goals and assists from a midfield role, which shows that he can impact games with the ball at his feet and potentially break down low blocks for the Hoops.
O’Neill needs midfielders who can contribute offensively because of how many teams look to sit in and defend deep in the Premiership when they face Celtic, and Baur appears to be the kind of number eight who can offer goals and assists.
He does not neglect the defensive side of the game, though, as evidenced by his superior out of possession numbers in comparison to Hatate’s, particularly when it came to winning aerial duels.
The German ace is not an out-and-out defensive midfielder who is likely to be a rock in the middle of the park for the Hoops, but he can contribute to being part of a solid side and win possession back for his team on a fairly regular basis.
Therefore, a deal to sign Baur from Paderborn could be the end of Hatate at Celtic as it would mean that they have a superior option in the building already to take his spot.
