News broke some days earlier that Daizen Maeda was keen on the idea of a Celtic exit this summer and that a big bid had come in from the Bundesliga. But ultimately, the Hoops decided against parting ways with the Japanese international due to their lack of depth in the forward areas. Of course, after that, they decided to sanction Adam Idah's exit, which makes little sense.
Perhaps they felt that the offer for Idah was too good to turn down, especially with the Irishman struggling to establish himself as a striker. That clearly was not the case when it comes to Maeda.
Of course, players like Maeda have achieved pretty much every possible at Celtic and it is only natural that they want to depart after three or four years. Kyogo did the same. And now, it has been suggested that Reo Hatate might have an eye on the exit door as well.
As reported by 67 Hail Hail, Open Goal pundit and former Celtic winger Paul Slane said about the situation of Hatate:
"I think he’s dropped so much as well and it kind of looks like that to me. I think he will be in the same boat as Maeda.
“He’s done a lot at Celtic and he’s probably thinking: ‘Right, this is my time (to leave)’. Especially with the World Cup coming up, I think those players will want to go down to the Premier League.
“I think it will give them a better chance of starting for Japan. I would almost say they will be looking at this season and wanting to go to one of the biggest leagues to give themselves a chance."
Celtic told another player wants to leave alongside Daizen Maeda
Hatate has always been linked with a move away from Celtic, going back to Rodgers' first season back at Parkhead. But whether it be due to injury problems or a lack of form, an exit has not materialised so far.
It remains to be seen if that ends up changing in the summer. But for now, he is a Celtic player, at lest until the winter transfer window.
It is very true that Hatate's form has dropped in recent times. At the top of his game, he is arguably the best midfielder in all of Scotland, but we have not seen that kind of football from him in a long time now.
And we might never again. Especially if the Japanese international has decided that he wants to leave Celtic soon.