Arsenal have been linked with Celtic’s Rocco Vata in recent days.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are one of the clubs eyeing the Hoops academy star.
As well as Arsenal, Manchester City are apparently in pursuit of Vata as well.
AC Milan, Juventus and Roma also all admirers of the 17-year-old prodigy.
It is claimed that Vata’s valuation is around £1.75million.
Celtic do not want to lose the ‘fantastic‘ talent. But it appears that they face a battle to keep him at Parkhead.
Arsenal target Vata – factfile
Vata has been shining at academy level for the Scottish giants.
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The versatile attacking gem has scored six goals in 17 appearances in all competitions so far this term.
As per the Daily Record, Vata has been at the club from a young age.
He is currently playing for both the Under-18s and the B side.
At international level, Vata plays for the Republic of Ireland’s youth setup, and is currently with the Under-19s.
Popular website Football Talent Scout has identified Vata as one of the top 40 players in the world born in 2005.
He is ‘an excellent dribbler who is able to run with the ball at pace’ and has a ‘powerful shot’.
And on Twitter, Vata has been compared in terms of gameplay to Bernardo Silva.
Could Vata become the latest Hale End talent?
It’s a great time to join Arsenal at all levels of the men’s game.
The senior team is top of the Premier League and their Europa League group.
And at youth level, Hale End has been a conveyor belt of talent with a great pathway in recent years.
Several Arsenal academy graduates have been shining for Mikel Arteta’s side, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe to name but two.
Meanwhile, Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history earlier this season.
And then you have youngsters signed from other clubs who have grown into stars, like Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba.