Reo Hatate is reportedly edging closer to joining an unnamed Championship side as his future increasingly looks set to lie away from Celtic.

The Japanese midfielder has been expected to leave the Hoops before the transfer window closes.

Journalist Kazu Kakiuchi reports on X that a move to the Championship is now progressing.

🚨Celtic’s Reo Hatate appears to be nearing a move to an EFL Championship club. While there had been a possibility of a return to the J.League this summer, that scenario is now considered unlikely to materialize. #旗手怜央

— Kazu Kakiuchi (@kazubaggio) August 31, 2026

West Ham have previously been linked with Hatate, while a reunion with Arne Engels cannot be completely ruled out.

Given Birmingham City’s recent history of signing Japanese players and former Celtic players, they also feel like a possible destination. Tomoki Iwata is currently with Chris Davies’ side, while Kyogo Furuhashi only recently left Birmingham for LA Galaxy.

The development comes with Joël van den Berg believed to be in London for his Celtic medical. He could arrive in Glasgow as early as tonight, with the expectation that he will complete his media duties at Celtic Park tomorrow before being shown around Lennoxtown on Tuesday.

A second central midfield target, Oliver Sørensen, is also on his way to London for his own medical, with a loan deal and an undisclosed option-to-buy fee agreed.

Celtic have also reportedly held talks with Torino over Gvidas Gineitis, a player Martin O’Neill is understood to be a huge admirer of and has strongly pushed for.

The key issue in that deal is whether Celtic and Torino can bridge the gap between the Italian side’s previous €10 million asking price and the Hoops’ valuation, which is understood to be closer to £6 million.