CELTIC have knocked back a £10million bid for Reo Hatate while stepping up their efforts to sign Augsburg midfielder Arne Engels.
The champions were swift to reject advances from an unnamed French side for their Japanese international as deadline day comes into focus.
Following an injury-ravaged previous campaign, Hatate has hit the ground running this time around and has already claimed two goals in the opening three Premiership victories.
The form of the 26-year-old performer, who is under contract until June 2028, has attracted the attention of a Ligue 1 club, but the Hoops hierarchy have told them they are wasting their time and Hatate is staying put, according to a report in the Daily Mail.
REO GRAND…Celtic’s in-demand midfielder Reo Hatate slots the second goal past St Mirren keeper Ellery Balcombe in the champions’ 3-0 win in Paisley.
It was a similar story earlier in the summer when Zenit St Petersburg made enquires for the player who joined alongside Daizen Maeda and Yusuke Ideguchi in January 2022.
The Parkhead men have withdrawn from the race for Los Angeles’ Polish middle-of-the-park operator Mateusz Bogusz after an initial offer of around £5million was not encouraged by the MLS outfit.
The focus is now on 20-year-old Belgian star Engels with reports Celtic have already made a club record bid of £10million for the midfielder.
We can expect developments on that situation as the day unfolds.
Likewise, interest in Sheffield United central defender Auston Trusty who is rated in the £6million bracket by his Bramall Lane club.
Barcelona left-back Alex Valle has already checked in after signing a one-season loan deal with the champions.
