Celtic could be set to lose one of their rising stars next month, with a report revealing that he’s a target for three clubs ahead of January.

Celtic summer departures

The Hoops sanctioned the sales of 10 players in total during the previous window, seven of which were on a permanent basis, while the remaining three were sent out on loan for the remainder of the season in order to increase their experience and game time.

Permanent Exits Loan Moves
Jota (Al-Ittihad) Sead Haksabanovic (Stoke City)
Carl Starfelt (Celta De Vigo) Liam Shaw (Wigan Athletic)
Albian Ajeti (Gaziantep) Adam Montgomery (Fleetwood Town)
Conor Hazard (Plymouth)
Vasilis Barkas (FC Utrecht)
Ismaila Soro (Beitar Jerusalem)
Osaze Urhoghide (Amiens)

Additionally, Joe Hart, Greg Taylor, David Turnbull, and Scott Bain of the Scottish Premiership team have contracts that expire at the end of the current campaign. If they do not sign new terms (Celtic contracts), they may be heading out the door.

Another player whose contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign is Rocco Vata, an attacking midfielder for Brendan Rodgers. Despite making just four senior appearances during his time at the club, the 18-year-old’s potential availability has drawn interest from a number of potential suitors (Transfermarkt – Vata statistics).

The Republic of Ireland youth international was reportedly observed by scouts from RB Leipzig, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Brentford back in September, and if the latest news is to be believed, three more teams have now entered the competition to sign him in January.

Celtic is fighting to retain Vata.

Torino, Frosinone, and Sampdoria are all “ready to clash” to sign Vata, according to Italian publication Calcio Mercato (via Sport Witness). Due to the teenager’s contract predicament, the Serie A and B clubs may decide to move “as early as” the beginning of next year. This is definitely something to keep an eye on in the upcoming weeks.

Rodgers must hold onto “exciting” Vata.

Vata isn’t a regular starter for Celtic, but Rodgers will know that he’s already scored 10 goals from 14 games in all competitions this season, and he doesn’t just want to play in the middle of the field.

The gifted player from Hamilton is a flexible player who has been used in five different places on the field, including two in the midfield and three across the front line. This makes him a valuable asset to have in the building in case of unforeseen injuries.

The young player, who is sponsored by Adidas, has experience competing and succeeding because he helped the green and white stripes win the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup trophies during his time there.

Football scout Jakek Kulig has also called Vata a “exciting” player due to all of his attributes, and with the abundance of potential he is already displaying, the hierarchy should make the decision to keep him in January.

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