Brendan Rodgers has responded to Reo Hatate Celtic exit talks after reports linking the player with Udinese.
It has been suggested the Serie A outfit have been monitoring the Japan international, including during the 5-1 thumping of Kilmarnock in which he impressed and struck a double.
Hatate is a key man in the Hoops midfield three years after signing under Ange Postecoglou from Kawasaki Frontale.
With two years remaining on the 27-year-old's contract, is the sort of time the club would normally like to hold talks with important players about the possibility of extending.
Rodgers admits that is the case and expects CEO Michael Nicholson to sit down with Hatate's agent.
Speaking in today's press conference ahead of facing Hibs, the manager said: "I think the club will always sit down with the representatives and I think Michael will be doing that over the coming months with all the players. And I'm sure agents will be coming in to see him as well.
"A really gifted player and this his fourth season here, we'll see what that looks like in the summer."
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Asked if Hatate is a player whose contribution sometimes goes under the radar, Rodgers went on: "Yeah, I think for Reo I can feel a little bit of inconsistency, especially in the first few games. There's absolutely no doubt he's a big talent.
"He's obviously a bit later in age now but maybe some clubs look at him and think he's at the wrong end of the asset age, they tend to go for that younger player.
"For me, he's an absolutely outstanding player. The way he takes the ball, he's prepared to play that risky pass. He's got goals.
"A really gifted player, it took me a wee while to get his inside his mind but he's absolutely superb. Certainly not underestimated by us because he's been really, really good this year."
Rodgers had been quoted in recent weeks as saying there would likely be "change" within the Celtic squad during this summer's transfer window.
But, asked if that means he expects a significant exit like in recent years with the likes of Matt O'Riley and Jota, he played that down.
"I don't know," insisted the Northern Irishman. "When I say change it's just something that's natural. It's not me demanding this, change will naturally take place.
"If every player was staying I would look at it and say I probably need three players. But that's probably not going to be the case.
"There will be interest for players because of the level the team has been at, and we have to assess it from there. And players that haven't been playing so much will probably move on. "
