Celtic are closing in on first January transfer signing

The upcoming January transfer window looks set to be one of the most exciting in Celtic’s recent history. Ange Postecoglou has done a terrific job with the cards that he has been dealt and the progress that the Hoops have made is pretty clear. But even then, there is no doubt about the fact that the club do not have a deep squad at the moment and if they are to challenge for the Premiership title, they will need to strengthen.

January is the perfect opportunity to do that and the club are being linked with some exciting names. The most frequent links have surrounded Daizen Maeda, who is currently the leading goalscorer in the J1 League.

But it looks like there is another Japanese star that the Hoops are closing in on. That man is Kawasaki Frontale’s Reo Hatate.

As reported by the Daily Mail (via Daily Record), a deal is well down the road, with Hatate expected to join Kyogo in Glasgow at the start of 2022.

Celtic look set to be closing in on their first January transfer signing

It is not hard to see why Celtic are being linked with a potential move for Hatate. He has been one of the most impressive players in the J1 League for a while now.

One of the biggest strengths in Hatate’s game is his incredible versatility. He is a midfielder but is capable of playing at both wing positions and at left-back if the situation calls for it.

In fact, it is mostly at left-back that Hatate has featured for the back-to-back J1 League champions, Kawasaki Frontale, in recent times.

Thus, his versatility would be a massive positive for any side. And it is no secret that Celtic need to strengthen in the middle of the park as well. Thus, a move for Hatate makes a lot of sense for the Glasgow giants.