Celtic winger Rocco Vata has yet to commit his future to the club, and speculation over whether he will stay at Parkhead has been ongoing these last few months.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international is believed to have the offer of a contract extension on the table that would run until the summer of 2027.
However, several clubs have joined the race for his signature amid the reality that his current terms only run until the end of this season.
Reports suggest scouts from AC Milan, Atalanta, and Bologna were in attendance to watch Vata score a hat-trick for the Irish Under-21 side in their 7-0 thrashing of San Marino last Friday evening.
Sky Bet Championship club Watford is also in discussions with his entourage over a move that could see him leave Lennoxtown for a compensation fee of around £400,000.
Per Transfermarkt, the 18-year-old has made just six senior appearances since breaking through at Celtic, scoring his debut goal against Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup earlier this year.
Brendan Rodgers talked up the Glasgow-born man in the aftermath of his maiden senior strike, stating: “He has potential, he needs a lot of work. He has some really good attributes, he’s strong, he’s got decent pace and he wants to score goals.”
Celtic youngster Rocco Vata’s agent makes social media post
Vata has a number of options to choose from as his Celtic contract winds down, though it would be great if the Bhoys were able to retain the teen as we build for the future.
Nevertheless, the Bhoys have struggled to integrate homegrown talent in years gone by, with only a handful making the step up from the academy to senior set-up.
Intriguingly, Vata’s agent, Elliot Fillingham, who is part of CAA Base, took to social media platform X last Friday to promote his client’s 30-minute trio of strikes against San Marino.
Of course, he is likely just making an example of Vata’s talent, though there is an obvious chance that the 18-year-old may move on from Celtic this summer, so it does make for interesting reading.
Hopefully, we can hear some clarity over the talented Irishman’s future before too long as Rodgers aims to put the building blocks in place for a long, successful tenure at Parkhead.