EXCLUSIVEEXCLUSIVE: Don't go there! Celtic reject Russian approach for Hatate before even discussing a fee
- Scottish champions were asked by unnamed club from Mir Premier League to open negotiations over Japanese star
- But Celtic have rejected an invitation to begin transfer talks before money was even considered
- Reluctance to let Hatate go has been heightened by concerns over dealing with Russian clubs during Ukraine conflict
Celtic have rejected an approach from Russia for their Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate.
The Parkhead club were asked earlier this week to open negotiations with an unnamed club from the Mir Russian Premier League.
Hatate has been a key player since moving to Scotland two and a half years ago, but Celtic’s reluctance to let the 26-year-old go has been heightened by concerns over dealing with Russian clubs following the country’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia has since been banned from international football while UEFA, European football’s governing body, have maintained a complete ban on Russian sides playing in continental competitions. The European Union have also imposed widescale sanctions on Russian businesses and individuals .
Celtic rejected the invitation to begin transfer talks over Hatate before a fee was discussed.
An investigation by Follow The Money website found that eight clubs from Austria, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Slovenia did business with Russian clubs in the January window despite legal and ethical concerns over the matter.
![Hatate has become one of Celtic's key players over last two and a half years](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/11/19/87218405-0-image-m-2_1720722141764.jpg)
Hatate has become one of Celtic's key players over last two and a half years
![Celtic would be reluctant to lose him and have rejected an approach from Russia](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/11/19/87218429-0-image-a-3_1720722199596.jpg)
Celtic would be reluctant to lose him and have rejected an approach from Russia
![Japanese midfielder Hatate signed for the Scottish champions in January 2022](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/11/19/87218413-0-image-a-4_1720722242789.jpg)
Japanese midfielder Hatate signed for the Scottish champions in January 2022
America’s MLS blocked a move by FC Dallas striker Jesus Ferreira to Spartak Moscow, arguing that the risk of US businesses becoming involved with Russia was too great.
However, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, football clubs have reportedly struck 114 deals with Russian sides worth an estimated £300million.
Speaking to Japanese media earlier this week, Hatate expressed a desire to play in one of Europe’s top leagues in future.
![Hatate has brought craft and guile to the Celtic midfield over last few campaigns](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/11/19/87218421-0-image-a-5_1720722319306.jpg)
Hatate has brought craft and guile to the Celtic midfield over last few campaigns
![The MLS rejected a similar move from Russia for FC Dallas player Jesus Ferreira, above](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/11/19/87218469-0-image-a-6_1720722351518.jpg)
The MLS rejected a similar move from Russia for FC Dallas player Jesus Ferreira, above
![Atalanta are the latest club to show serious interest in Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/11/19/87218455-0-image-a-7_1720722406884.jpg)
Atalanta are the latest club to show serious interest in Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley
‘There are still higher leagues so, if I can challenge for those leagues, I want to do so,’ he said. ‘Unless I aim for that, there is no point in me continuing as an athlete. I want to keep aiming high. I would like to play in the Premier League, as well as Spain or Italy.’
With team-mate Matt O’Riley expected to leave Parkhead this summer, Celtic don’t want to lose two of their most influential midfielders in the same transfer window.
Serie A side Atalanta are the latest club to take a serious interest in Denmark international O’Riley and the 23-year-old is also being tracked by the likes of Atletico Madrid and Southampton.