According to Ben Jacobs, Blackburn Rovers were set to sign midfielder Reo Hatate before Burnley intervened late, with Rovers having the deal taken over late on deadline day. Blackburn’s interest followed Sondre Tronstad’s departure, as the club needed greater creativity and ball progression. The move for Hatate would have been a loan with low risk and high potential reward, although the physical demands of the Championship could have exposed his defensive limitations. The transfer did not happen for Rovers, who remain with limited options in that area.

Japanese central midfielder Reo Hatate, 28, was reportedly en route to complete a loan move to Blackburn Rovers before Burnley intervened to sign him instead. Burnley, whose ground is 15 miles away from Blackburn's, secured the player, who has been capped 11 times for Japan, on a permanent transfer for a fee of £6.5m plus add-ons. He joins Burnley on a contract that runs until June 30, 2029. In August 2026, reports had suggested his former club Celtic's asking price was around €14.2 million (£12m). His current market value is €10.00m, according to Transfermarkt.