Premier League teams Nottingham Forest and Brentford have held negotiations with out-of-contract Celtic prospect Rocco Vata, while Serie A clubs are also interested. Exclusive from Graeme Bailey.
HITC understands that, with Rocco Vata’s Celtic contract set to expire next week, there is plenty of interest in the highly rated teenager.
Vata, who joined The Hoops almost a decade ago, has fans in England and Italy. Nottingham Forest and Brentford have conducted negotiations with the 19-year-old Hamilton native.
Both clubs can now play in the Premier League after avoiding relegation in 2023/24. There is also interest from Bologna, which qualified for the Champions League for the first time ever before head coach Thiago Motta left for Juventus.
Celtic’s Rocco Vata is attracting interest from both the Premier League and Serie A. Lewis Ferguson, Bologna’s captain, moved to Italy from Aberdeen in 2022.
Aaron Hickey, who currently plays for the aforementioned Brentford, also had an impressive period with the Rossoblu. Moving to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara may appeal to Vata.
HITC can reveal that Bologna has been in contact with Como, which has recently been promoted to Serie A. Palermo, the second-tier club, is also interested. Celtic, on their part, have not given up hope of retaining Vata just yet.
He has been given a long-term contract to stay on the green side of Glasgow, but time is running out as his contract expires on July 1.Vata, a sleek and technically adept forward, is highly rated at Celtic.
Despite this, he only appeared in four minutes of Scottish Premiership football last season, but he did make his senior debut in the Scottish Cup against Buckie Thistle, scoring 5-0. “Young players have to earn the right (to play),” manager Brendan Rodgers remarked following the Buckie clash, according to BBC Sport. ”
There has been a lot of talk about Rocco, but any young player needs to earn the opportunity. Throughout my career, I have provided opportunities for numerous young athletes. But I like Rocco.
He possesses attributes. He is strong, forceful, and driven to achieve his goals. When he came on, he scored his goal and had other opportunities.Vata’s future will be up to him. He’s talented.
It all depends on how he and his representatives think. You have certain young players whose representation will tell you that if they are not playing in the first team or starting, they do not want to remain.You should go then, because you need to earn the right.” Brendan Rodgers wants the youngster to stay.
Rodgers clearly believes that Vata would benefit from remaining in Scotland, even if it takes another two or three years for him to truly establish himself as a regular in the Celtic team. “He is 18 (now 19),” the former Leicester and Liverpool manager stated in January. “I don’t require guys ready at 18 unless they are genuine, exceptional skills.
However, by 20 or 21, they must be prepared. But you can tell he has tools, and this may be an excellent environment for him to grow.”According to HITC, Celtic are also struggling to keep center-back Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Ipswich Town, the Premier League’s newcomers, are attracting interest. Rodgers’ side is still looking for a Joe Hart replacement, with Liverpool’s Coaimhin Kelleher the top choice.
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