Why Tottenham may have to pass on one of preferred midfield targets

Why Tottenham is interested in Hatate

Postecoglou orchestrated Hatate’s transfer from Japanese club side Kawasaki Frontale in January 2022, paying about £1.4 million to secure his services.

Like several of Postecoglou’s hand-picked signings, Hatate fit seamlessly into Postecoglou’s relentless high-pressing system, scoring nine times and adding 10 helpers in 40 league appearances since joining Celtic.

The 25-year-old scored five goals and seven assists last season and was nominated for the Scottish Premiership Player of the Year award. Teammate and fellow Tottenham transfer target Kyogo Furuhashi won the award.

He’s seen as a player tailor-fitted for the No. 8 role in Postecoglou’s 4-3-3 formation. An attacking threat who can play an incisive pass and isn’t afraid to take players on, Hatate is also crafty and fleet of foot.

He’s still only 25 years old and wouldn’t cost Tottenham much. Transfermarkt has his valuation pegged at about £5 million, but it would probably cost double or triple that amount to get the deal across the line.

Under contract at Celtic until May 2026, Hatate is garnering interest from other clubs in Europe’s top five leagues. But Celtic are under no obligation to sell their up-and-comer.

Hatate, currently on international duty, recently spoke about his excitement about returning to Glasgow for the 2023-24 campaign.

That, however, doesn’t mean all too much, especially when a team like Tottenham, led by his former manager, comes calling.