Reo Hatate has rejected three opportunities to leave Celtic this summer, according to a report.
The Japan international has made clear his desire to end his four-and-a-half-year stay in Scotland, and has been an unused substitute in all three of the Hoops' matches so far this season.
Approaches turned down
Last week, Record Sport exclusively revealed that Greek giants Panathinaikos have made the 28-year-old their top transfer target, with the player also holding several other offers from the MLS and the Middle East.
The Herald now report that Hatate has turned down approaches from Panathinaikos and unnamed clubs in both the MLS and the Austrian Bundesliga.
They add that the former Kawasaki Frontale playmaker is desperate to secure a move to one of Europe's top five leagues and is prepared to wait for further interest in the final two weeks of the transfer window.
Contract situation
Hatate still has two years remaining on his contract at Parkhead and will remain in Martin O'Neill's squad unless a significant seven-figure offer arrives.
Celtic bolstered their midfield options with the £4.5million capture of Mika Baur, who made his debut off the bench in Saturday's 4-0 win over Dundee United in the Premier Sports Cup.
O'Neill is keen to add more depth in the position following the £22million sale of Arne Engels to West Ham – a record transfer for an English Championship club.
Other targets
The Premiership champions are said to be in the race to sign Slovan Liberec attacking midfielder Ermin Mahmic, with the Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup breakout star reportedly 'negotiating' a transfer away from the Czech outfit.
Celts are also reportedly keen on Viktoria Plzen midfielder Cheick Souare. The 23-year-old Frenchman has spent three years in the Czech Republic with Vyskov and Plzen but started his career with Ligue 1 giants Marseille.
Sources on the continent claim that Hoops, Genoa, Monza and Getafe are all interested in Souare, and that the latter have already seen a €2.5million (£2.1million) bid rejected by Plzen.
They add that Plzen hope to collect up to €4million (£3.4million) for the player. Souare made 42 appearances in all competitions last season and was on target in Plzen's shock 2-1 away win over Roma in the Europa League group stage.
