Serie A side Torino are showing interest in signing young Celtic talent Rocco Vata.
The Sunday Mail [06/08 print edition, page 61] reports that the Italian club are one of a number of suitors looking to do a deal for Vata, with English sides and other European clubs also keen.
Vata has less than a year left on his Celtic contract and recently signed up to big-time football agency CAA Base.
The attacker earned praise from coach Stephen McManus this weekend for his recent performances with Celtic B, so the youngster isn’t letting all the speculation impact his game.
Nonetheless, Celtic have a big decision to make on the 18-year-old here. Vata is either given opportunities and chances at the Bhoys, with a new deal offered shortly – or they risk losing him to a European side like Liam Morrison and Ben Doak before him.
Lowland League football is not the right level for this stage of his development. He’s had plenty of games there and is now training regularly with the first team.
In an ideal world, even if Brendan Rodgers doesn’t think he is ready for Bhoys appearances, Vata signs a new contract with the Bhoys and is sent out on loan for a stiffer test against better opposition.
Nobody wants to see Vata leave for a low fee or even on a free transfer next summer. That’s happened too often in recent years and it’s clear the young attacker has talent and potential.
Encouragingly, Vata was included on pre-season trips to Portugal and Japan. He was given game time in multiple friendlies and drew praise from Rodgers. He has admirers within the Celtic set-up.
Now we’re at a critical stage of his Celtic breakthrough and fingers crossed the Bhoys can resolve it all in a satisfactory manner.
In other news, Brendan Rodgers addresses David Turnbull’s expiring Celtic contract situation.
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