Celtic ensured that, at the very least, they will be in the playoffs Champions League with a 1-0 win over Young Boys at Parkhead on Wednesday night.
The evening was somewhat spoiled by the news that Kyogo Furuhashi died advanced signing conversations to Ligue 1 side Rennes in a £10m deal.
Brendan Rodgers has meanwhile confirmed that the Japanese international is expected to leave Glasgow, after expressing his desire to complete a transfer outside the club.
The Northern Ireland head coach also confirmed that Portuguese striker Jota, who comes the other way from Rennes, is expected to seal a return to Parkhead.
The fee Celtic will pay for Jota
According to Sky Sports reporter Anthony JosephCeltic will pay a fee of around £8m to sign the Ligue 1 striker, who left Paradise 18 months ago.
In the summer of 2023, shortly after Rodgers returned to the club, Jota joined Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia. reportedly worth £25 millionbut he failed to make it in the Pro League or Ligue 1, allowing the Hoops to snap him up for £17m less than what they sold him for.
As you can see from the image above, Jota has been incredibly productive during his first two seasons with the Bhoys and could come as a bargain signing if he can replicate that form this time around.
His current market value, given the fee Celtic have to pay, is £8m though, and the Hoops have some players in their squad worth even more than him, including Reo Hatate.
Celtic won gold with Reo Hatate
Three years ago, in January 2022, the Scottish giants signed a contract with the Japanese international for an announced fee of £1.4m from Kawasaki Frontale.
In the three years the midfield maestro has been at Parkhead, Hatate has piled on 23 goals and 21 assists in 122 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Market drivers
Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star or biggest failure worth today?
The 27-year-old star, who was hailed as “absolutely brilliant” Rodgers earlier this season, he has been a bargain signing for the Scottish giants, as evidenced by the number of games played and goal contribution for someone costing just £1.4m.
As you can see in the table above, Celtic have also struck gold with Hatate when you consider the way his market valuation, according to Transfermarkt, has soared over the last three years.
The Japanese dynamo has reached the point where he is currently valued at £9.3m, which is £1.3m more than the club need to pay for Jota, who was a £25m star less than two years ago.
Connected
Regardless of how Hatate’s career at Parkhead pans out in the future, the Hoops won the lottery when they attempted to secure his services in 2022 and should look back on that deal with great satisfaction.
