Celtic have told Reo Hatate he is not for sale after dismissing a £10million offer from France for the Japanese midfielder.
Matt O’Riley left for Brighton for a record fee of £25million plus add ons earlier this week.
Unwilling to discuss the sale of another important player in the current window, Mail Sport understands the Parkhead club refused to discuss an approach from an unnamed Ligue 1 club earlier this week.
An enquiry from Russian side Zenit St Petersburg was also rejected last month, while English Premier League side Leicester City failed to firm up their interest with a formal offer.
Under contract until 2028, 26-year-old Hatate is in no rush to leave Glasgow. A goalscorer in two of Celtic’s three league games so far, the Japanese international will not be leaving before Friday’s 11pm deadline.
Brendan Rodgers is determined to keep hold of Reo Hatate despite interest in the midfielder
Hatate has attracted admiring glances from the English Premiership and the Continent
Hatate’s midfielder partner Matt O’Riley has already departed the Parkhead club this season
Meanwhile, Celtic have completed a season-long loan deal for Barcelona left-back Alex Valle.
The 20-year-old spent last season on loan with Levante and signed a new deal at the Nou Camp before agreeing to move to Scotland on loan.
The fifth signing of the summer, Valle joins keepers Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo, striker Adam Idah and midfielder Paulo Bernardo.
Last season’s league and cup winners are in negotiations with German club Augsburg over Belgian midfielder Arne Engels. Sheffield United defender Auston Trusty is another target, with Parkhead winger Mikey Johnston expected to go the other way.
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