With his contract up in the summer, it appears as though a move to the Championship could be on the cards for Celtic and Ireland prospect Rocco Vata.
The Ireland U21 international has made just two senior appearances for Celtic this season, though he did score in January's 5-0 Scottish Cup victory over Buckie Thistle.
After that game, however, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers poured cold water on the prospect of Vata getting more regular first-team minutes, and a move away from Glasgow is becoming ever more likely this summer.
Reports on Wednesday now suggest that there is concrete interest from Championship side Watford in signing the 18-year-old attacker.
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Ireland prospect Rocco Vata linked with move to Watford
The Athletic reports that Vata has an offer on the table to stay with Celtic until 2027 but that the lack of guarantees surrounding first-team opportunities may have him look elsewhere when his current contract expires this summer.
12 September 2023; Rocco Vata of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and San Marino at Turner's Cross Stadium in Cork. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Watford are reported to have joined the race for Vata's signature. Even though he would be signed as a free agent, Vata's potential arrival at Watford would require the club to pay a compensation fee, as he has been with Celtic since the age of seven. The fee required is said to be €280,000 in The Athletic's report.
The Hornets currently sit in 12th place in the Championship. Despite their mid-table position, their safety in the division for next season is by no means guaranteed, with just six points between them and 23rd-placed Sheffield Wednesday.
Rocco Vata was born in Glasgow and his father Rudi Vata played for Celtic and Albania during his playing career. Eligible for both Scotland and Albania, Vata chose instead to declare for the Republic of Ireland - he is eligible through his maternal grandmother.
Vata has played for Ireland since U15 level and made his first appearance for the U21s last year. He scored twice on his debut against San Marino in Cork and, at only 18, appears to have a huge future ahead of him.
If a move to Watford does not materialise, there appear to be other options for Vata bar staying in Glasgow. Previous reports have linked him with a move to Italy, with Bologna and Como both said to be interested in securing his signature.
For a bright prospect like Rocco Vata, the proposition of more regular game time at a high level can only be a good thing.
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