Arsenal are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Celtic youngster Rocco Vata, according to a report from Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb.
Vata is yet to get the chance to play for the first-team at Parkhead. But it appears that he may be starting to knock on the door.
The teenager – who can play in midfield or anywhere in the forward line – has scored six goals in 17 appearances in all competitions so far this term. That includes a strike against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Youth League.
Arsenal interested in Rocco Vata
Celtic do not want to lose Vata. He has previously been lauded as a ‘fantastic‘ talent. But it appears that they face a battle to keep him at Parkhead.
Tuttomercatoweb reports that Arsenal, Manchester City, AC Milan, Juventus and Roma are all admirers of the youngster. It is claimed that his valuation is around £1.75 million.
Arsenal, of course, have experience of dealing with Celtic and one of their bright academy graduates. It was the Gunners who managed to lure Kieran Tierney away from his boyhood club.
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And it is an exciting time to move to the Emirates. Mikel Arteta’s men top the Premier League table. And a group portion of the squad is made up of young players still developing.
Obviously, Vata would not be in the senior squad immediately if he moved to the Emirates. But the pathway is absolutely there.
Reports from Football London on Wednesday claimed that the likes of Khayon Edwards, Catalin Cirjan and Maldini Kacurri all featured in first-team training ahead of the Europa League tie against PSV Eindhoven.
Meanwhile, Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history earlier this season.
Vata has strong links to Celtic. But there are some appealing options potentially on the table. And Arsenal is definitely one of those.