Celtic's Northern Irish coach Brendan Rodgers gestures during a press conference at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, on November 6, 2023, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group E football match against Club Atletico de Madrid. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP) (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images)
Attacker Rocco Vata of Celtic is set to get a physical, and Watford is getting close to signing him, according to Sky Sports (live transfer blog, 03.07.24, 17:13).
To strengthen their attacking unit, Watford plans to entice the winger to move over the border to Hertfordshire. Under Tom Cleverley’s direction, they are getting ready for their first full season in the Championship and are looking to add some new players.
Vata, 19, saw his contract at Celtic expire at the end of last month and has been weighing up his options. The prospect is being tipped for a bright future in the game and has been a man in-demand recently.
In this latest update regarding his future by Sky Sports, the teenager is ‘close’ to agreeing a four-year move to Vicarage Road and will undergo medical tests on Wednesday. The Hoops would be due £237,000 in compensation if a deal gets over the line.
Watford close in on Celtic attacker
Vata would be a shrewd long-term addition for Watford and would bolster their attacking ranks.
He has been on the books at Celtic for his whole career to date and has risen up through their academy ranks.
The prospect has been a key player for the Glasgow giants at various youth levels and has most recently established himself as a regular for their B team in the Lowland League, scoring 23 goals in 34 games.
Vata, who is a Republic of Ireland youth international, has also played six times for the Hoops’ first-team, chipping in with a single goal.
Celtic have been keen to keep hold of him as they look to retain their Scottish Premiership title over rivals Rangers next term. However, it appears he is heading out the exit door now for a new challenge in England.
Watford plans
Watford are being patient with their recruitment as Cleverley looks to put his own stamp on the squad.
They have cut ties with the likes of Ben Hamer, Ashley Fletcher and Jake Livermore over recent times to free up space and funds in their ranks to pave the way for new arrivals, with Vata potentially becoming their latest new addition.
