The race to sign Celtic’s Rocco Vata has taken a fresh twist with Serie B side Como stepping up their interest in the Irishman. Como are competing with Serie A side Bologna for the signature of Vata and hope that their offer of first team football will sway the young attacker to commit his future to them.
Fabrizio Romano and Sky Sports both reported on the deal on Monday afternoon as it appears inevitable that the player’s agent met will depart.
🔵🇮🇪 Excl: Celtic have been approached by Italian side Como FC for Irish talent Rocco Vata.
Bologna are keen on signing him as revealed last week but Como can offer different kind of project and guaranteed game time. Talks will follow soon. pic.twitter.com/ZmVUWb5bII
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 15, 2024
BREAKING: Serie B side Como have made an approach for Celtic forward Rocco Vata 👀👤 pic.twitter.com/y1pTEuUS9R
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 15, 2024
It appears that the player and the club are keen to part ways as the Ireland U21 seeks further first-team opportunities, having shown good consistency for the Celtic second team. Vata has 18 appearances for Celtic B this season as well as an impressive haul of 11 goals to his name. However, he has made just four appearances for the First Team in his time with the club.
Vata joined CAA Base Agency in the summer, which indicated that he would be likely to move on in the summer but no deal was forthcoming leaving him to be deployed in the Lowland League by Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea. It is perhaps telling that promising youngsters Mackenzie Carse and Ben Summers are now playing their games in the Championship whilst Vata has been plying his trade with the B Team.
When Celtic were short of attacking options, Vata wasn’t included in the first team and it was clear that the player would be moving on. When guys like Mikey Johnston, Marco Tilio and Yang weren’t getting games, it was unlikely that Vata would be even close to first team involvement, which is a shame as there is obviously a talented player there.
If we can sign talented young Koreans and Australian’s and put them out on loan then why cant we offer the same opportunity to one of the most promising talents to come through our own youth academy ?