Celtic open negotiations for £10m target viewed as step up from Reo Hatate

It’s been a chaotic and unpredictable Scottish Premiership season, but Celtic F.C. remain firmly in the title race.

Despite sitting three points off the top, their campaign has been anything but smooth. Off-field disruption—particularly the fallout involving Wilfried Nancy—threatened to derail their season entirely. Yet, the return of Martin O’Neill has helped steady the ship, giving the Hoops a fighting chance heading into the final stretch.

Whether O’Neill’s impact is ultimately judged a success will depend on the coming weeks. Title or not, a major rebuild looks inevitable this summer, with Dermot Desmond and the Celtic hierarchy expected to oversee significant changes.

Celtic targeting big-money midfield addition

One of the club’s key priorities will be strengthening the squad—particularly in midfield. Recent recruitment has fallen short, with signings like Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Joel Mvuka failing to make the desired impact.

There are also concerns over potential departures. Daizen Maeda has endured an inconsistent season, but losing him would still leave a gap in attack.

Up front, Celtic have reportedly been monitoring Bim Pepple, while in midfield, a more ambitious move could be on the cards. Reports from Germany suggest that Soufiane El-Faouzi—currently at FC Schalke 04—is attracting interest from multiple clubs, including Brentford F.C. and Sunderland A.F.C..

For Celtic to land the midfielder, a fee in the region of £10 million would likely be required—potentially making him one of the most expensive signings in the club’s history.

How El-Faouzi compares to Reo Hatate

Midfield reinforcements have been overdue. Back in January, Celtic struggled to secure a long-term option and instead brought in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a short-term deal, leaving uncertainty over his future beyond this season.

Meanwhile, questions are growing around Reo Hatate. Once a standout performer under Ange Postecoglou, the Japanese midfielder has endured a difficult 2025/26 campaign.

With just 19 league starts and only two goals so far, Hatate is on course for his least productive season since arriving at Parkhead. That marks a sharp decline from last term, when he hit double figures in the league.

While he has been one of Celtic’s most influential players in recent years, his form has dipped at a crucial time. As a result, speculation is growing that he could move on this summer.

A defining summer ahead

With uncertainty over the managerial position, key players’ futures up in the air, and recruitment needing serious improvement, this summer could define the next era at Celtic.

If a move for El-Faouzi materialises, it may signal a shift toward refreshing the midfield—and potentially moving on from players who have struggled to maintain their previous standards.

For now, though, the focus remains on the title race. But behind the scenes, the groundwork for a transformative summer is already underway.