Reo Hatate ‘big money’ Leicester City transfer target as Celtic braced for bid
The classy midfielder has interested parties including newly promoted Foxes
Reo Hatate has emerged as a big money transfer target for Leicester City.
Celtic have been busy fighting off Atalanta bids for playmaker Matt O’Riley so far this summer with several efforts from the Serie A club to sign the midfielder booted into touch. But now they’re reportedly fighting on two fronts to keep hold of their stars with the newly-promoted Foxes now interested in the Hoops’ other midfield general in Hatate – who has confessed a desire to play in the English top flight down the line.
The Daily Mail claim manager Steve Cooper wants to add to his ranks and the cultured Japanese midfield man would be an ideal option ahead of the new term.
A bid has not yet been tabled officially but Celts are reportedly aware of legitimate interest from Leicester and are bracing themselves for an offer.
Celtic recently rejected an offer for Hatate from the Russian Premier League in the form or Zenit St Petersburg who attempted to take him from the Glasgow champions.
He’s currently signed to a contract until 2028 which has Brendan Rodgers and his club in a strong position to continue batting away interest.
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Why Wout Faes and Harry Souttar were left out of Leicester City squad
The central defensive pair were both missing from the 23-man line-up selected by manager Steve Cooper at Chesterfield for Leicester City’s 1-0 defeat to Palermo
Wout Faes picked up an injury in his first training session back at Leicester City, but it won’t stop him from travelling to the club’s camp in Germany.
City head back out to Europe this week to continue their pre-season preparations, with a behind-closed-doors match to be played in midweek before they take on Bundesliga side Augsburg next Saturday. Faes is expected to be involved despite his absence at Chesterfield for the friendly against Palermo on Friday.
The Belgian defender was one of five internationals to return to pre-season training at Seagrave last Monday, with the other four – Mads Hermansen, Jannik Vestergaard, Victor Kristiansen and Bobby De Cordova-Reid – all featuring in the 1-0 defeat to the Italian outfit. Manager Steve Cooper revealed after the game that Faes had injured his toe immediately on his return from his holiday.
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He wasn’t the only centre-back missing for the game against Palermo. Harry Souttar was also left out of the squad, and Cooper said that was because of the number of central defenders he has to choose from.
