Numerous reports have been speculating this weekend on West Ham’s plan to replace one ‘want away’ player for another in their search for a playmaker to take them forward towards Championship success next season.
The midfield creativity void is something which Nuno needs to fix, having lost Mateus Fernandes who was himself something of a replacement for Lucas Paquetá, who got his own wish to exit the club last winter.
The wisdom of replacing Paquetá’s inconsistency with another ‘want-away‘ figure is bound to be questioned as the Hammers are linked with Celtic’s Reo Hatate ahead of the Irons’ visit to the blue side of Glasgow this afternoon. According to Glasgowworld.com:
“Celtic wantaway becomes ‘attractive package’ for West Ham as potential replacement for Brazil superstar
Celtic’s midfielder Hatate is linked with West Ham’s vacant ‘playmaker’ role
Celtic playmaker Reo Hatate could replace the creativity of Lucas Paqueta at West Ham United, as the wantaway midfielder edges closer to his wish becoming a reality.West Ham sold Paqueta to Flamengo in January and have struggled to replace his dynamism.
Since the 67-capped Brazil internationalist left, they’ve been relegated to the Championship and are now regrouping under boss Nuno Espirito Santo. The Irons have former Rangers Technical Director Nils Koppen as their current Director of Recruitment, who will be well aware of Hatate’s talent from his time in Glasgow.”
Having seen so many midfielders linked with the Irons in the last few weeks you’d have to ask whether Hatate offers significantly more at 28 years old: Martin O’Neill clearly doesn’t rate him as he’s been dropped from the matchday squad.
Hatate is approaching the last 12 months of his contract with Celtic so it is easy to understand Celtic’s desire to grab up to £11 million (transfermarkt) rather than lose him on a free next summer.
As for the ‘want-away’ player himself, Hatate evidently has ambitions beyond the English second division, having Europa League experience (along with three goals) under his belt.
Does he satisfy West Ham’s criteria of buying into the club and promotion back at the first opportunity? Or is he another attitude-in-boots waiting to further disrupt the training ground. Nuno already has enough of those.
I have a good friend who is a big Celtic fan and his view is we should steer well clear of this player as he thinks he is better than he is to put it the non expletive filled way i was told!…and for me if Martin O’Neil does not think he is good enough for the Scottish league why would we even contemplate him for the Championship….i hope this is just rumour and not something with legs.