While Brendan Rodgers wants to bolster his squad this summer, he also remains keen to secure the long-term futures of some Celtic youngsters, Rocco Vata being one.
The teenage attacker was handed a few first-team opportunities this season and bagged his maiden senior goal against Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup.
With his Parkhead contract expiring this summer, though, Vata’s future remains up in the air.
He has yet to commit to any club despite having several options on the table.
Indeed, his father Rudi, who had a short three-year stint at Celtic in the 90s, has detailed the extent of interest in his son.
“Rocco is a very unique boy”, he said (Football Scotland).
“He has had 15 offers from 15 different clubs and he has still not decided where he wants to continue with his future. He is analysing his options. He was born with freedom, Rocco, and he chose to become a footballer.
“As his dad, I only try to keep him right. There are no less than seven or eight Serie A clubs who have shown interest in Rocco. But he needs to keep going and keep working.”
At 19, Vata remains tender but he will likely want guarantees of first-team football wherever he goes next.
He played only twice for Rodgers in the campaign gone by despite impressing for Celtic B throughout where he scored 12 goals in 15 Lowland League appearances.
Taking his time over a decision, the champions can only wait and see whether Vata decides to stay in Glasgow and continue his development at Lennoxtown or seek a fresh opportunity elsewhere.
Could be a case of putting money before the career opportunity?
Fail to see how anyone could offer a better career opportunity to vata imo?
If he manages to become a success with ourselves, then will be looking at far bigger opportunities available to himself, than what’s potentially on offer to himself currently, especially with only being in the development stage in his career at present?
Fast tracking a career could work out for himself, but has hardly finished his apprenticeship at present?
He will possibly get more opportunities available to him next season with playing involvement, so would be down to him to take such an opportunity when it arises?
Hardly in a position to be demanding 1st team football yet, but wouldn’t be to high ranking of a club who could guarantee such a pathway for him either imo?
So would another club looking at him within the development stage really be any better than what he currently has on offer with ourselves?
Can’t see it myself, and this whole situation is dragging on way to long now for my liking, and have to seriously start questioning as to whether he actually wants to stay at this stage?
Think his auld fella is hardly helped matters with putting Vata upon a bigger stage than he currently has warranted or earnt yet?
Somehow don’t think we will be waiting around to much either at this stage now, which would be a shame because certainly think there is big potential within Vata, but hardly going to be held to ransom from a youngster barely out of nappies within the footballing world either?