Reo Hatate has told Celtic he wants to leave the club this summer, according to a report in The Herald, with the Japanese midfielder's future at Parkhead appearing increasingly uncertain after a difficult spell under interim manager Martin O'Neill.

Hatate, 28, remains contracted to the Scottish champions until 2028, which means Celtic will hold significant leverage in any negotiations. But the noises out of the east end of Glasgow suggest the player himself is keen to move on, and that changes the dynamic heading into what promises to be a busy window for both of the Old Firm clubs.

The midfielder fell out of favour under O'Neill, and that loss of standing appears to have hardened his thinking. Whether Celtic look to cash in or attempt to reintegrate him under whoever takes charge on a permanent basis remains to be seen, but a player who has formally registered his desire to leave is rarely one who stays and thrives.

Chermiti Linked Again — But Rangers Won't Budge

Across the city, Rangers are again fielding interest in striker Youssef Chermiti, with the 22-year-old's name appearing on Galatasaray's list of summer targets. According to journalist Sergan Dag on X, the Turkish giants are monitoring Chermiti, but Rangers are expected to hold firm and demand £25 million for a player they clearly regard as a cornerstone of their squad for years to come. At that price, any deal looks complicated.

Stewart Could Walk Thanks to Southampton's Spygate Fallout

Elsewhere in the gossip columns, Scotland striker Ross Stewart may find himself a free agent this summer thanks to an administrative oversight at Southampton. The Daily Echo reports that Southampton missed the deadline on a contract extension clause for the 29-year-old — a consequence of the chaos surrounding the club's "Spygate" scandal, which denied them promotion to the Premier League. Stewart now holds the power to walk away and join another club. For a Championship striker of his calibre, there will be no shortage of interest.

Other Snippets Worth Watching

  • Hayato Inamura is on his way to Tokyo on a permanent deal after the 24-year-old centre-half's loan spell back in Japan. Celtic have agreed a £1.3 million fee, according to journalist Kazu Kakiuchi.
  • Hampus Skoglund, the 22-year-old Hammarby right-back linked with Rangers, is not going anywhere according to his club's sports director Mikael Hjelmberg, who says no approach has been made from Ibrox or elsewhere.
  • Harvey Barnes, the 28-year-old Newcastle United winger who was reported to have held talks about switching international allegiance from England to Scotland, has emerged as an Aston Villa transfer target, according to Football Insider.
  • Leicester City are said to be in advanced talks with Russell Martin to take the manager's job following their relegation to League One, though TalkSport notes the former Rangers head coach has other options on the table both in the UK and abroad.

The summer window is barely open and the Scottish game is already generating plenty of movement. Hatate's situation will be the one to watch most closely — he is the highest-profile name on the move, and the fee Celtic can command for a player under contract until 2028 could prove decisive in shaping their own recruitment plans for the coming season.

Frequently asked

Why does Reo Hatate want to leave Celtic?
Reports suggest Hatate fell out of favour under interim manager Martin O'Neill, and the 28-year-old Japanese midfielder has now told the club he wants to move on this summer, despite having a contract that runs until 2028.
How much are Rangers asking for Youssef Chermiti?
Rangers are reported to be demanding £25 million for the 22-year-old striker, who has been linked with Turkish club Galatasaray.
Why can Ross Stewart leave Southampton for free?
Southampton reportedly missed the deadline to trigger a contract extension clause for the Scotland striker — a consequence of the administrative disruption caused by the club's 'Spygate' scandal. That means Stewart now has the option to join another club.