By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

29th Mar, 2023 | 1:00pm

Sources: Brighton plotting to sign Celtic star Reo Hatate

Brighton are plotting to sign Reo Hatate from Celtic this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The Seagulls have scouted Hatate during what has been an impressive campaign in Glasgow.

The Japanese midfielder has also been attracting interest from Premier League clubs as well as other teams in Europe.

The 25-year-old joined Parkhead in January 2022 for a reported fee of £1.4million from Japanese side Kawaski Frontale and put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal running until 2026.

Despite a quiet start to life in Glasgow, Hatate has become an integral part of Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side this season and has been in the starting XI for 34 of his 38 appearances so far.

In those outings, the centre-mid has scored eight goals and provided nine assists compared to four goals in 21 appearances last season.

Postecoglou has been full of praise for the versatile playmaker who has even filled in at left-back.

As quoted by Sky Sports earlier this month (6 March), the Australian said Hatate has reached “another level” in the second half of the season and insisted there is more to come from him.

Brighton are currently seventh in the Premier League and have been enjoying an impressive season under new boss Roberto de Zerbi.

The Seagulls are only seven points off Tottenham in fourth-place and have three games in hand on the London club.

De Zerbi’s side could lose midfielder Moises Caicedo in the summer even though he recently signed a new contract that runs until 2027 and includes the option of a further year.

On 17 March, Football Insider revealed that Arsenal are pushing to sign Caicedo in the summer after a £70m bid was rejected in January.

In other news, update on breakaway plot as new Celtic and Rangers documents leaked.