THE Reo Hatate contract saga at Celtic could be over within the next 72 hours.
The 25-year-old midfielder and the champions are now close to an extension agreement that will bring the Japanese international in line with Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda.
Discussions between Hatate, who joined from Kawasaki Frontale in January 2022, and the Hoops hierarchy have been described as “positive”, according to a report in the Daily Mail.
ON THE SPOT…Reo Hatate slots in the opening goal with a penalty-kick in the 3-0 win at Livingston.
CHEERS…Matt O’Riley congratulates Reo Hatate after his first goal of the campaign.
His fellow-countrymen Kyogo and Maeda signed new four-year deals in the summer to keep them at the club until June 2027, at least.
So far Hatate has resisted penning the terms, but a breakthrough in talks is anticipated before the end of the month on Saturday.
As well as the Japanese double-act, Scotland’s title kings have seen skipper Callum McGregor, Liel Abada and Stephen Welsh sign new terms while Scotland defender Anthony Ralston did likewise yesterday, as CQNreported.
The club are now reported to be ready to offer an enhanced deal to midfielder Matt O’Riley who has started this campaign in storming fashion and is now tipped for a step up to the Danish senior international set-up for the first time.
The bargain £1.5million recruit from English third-tier team MK Dons in January last year is currently under contract until June 2026.
