Fabrizio Romano’s report on Celtic’s ongoing transfer negotiations

With just over a week to the end of Rocco Vata’s contract at Celtic, there has been no word on any movement in negotiations between his advisors and the club to secure a new contract.

That has been the message regularly conveyed by Rocco’s father, former Celtic defender Rudi Vata, who has always stated that his choice is to remain at Celtic while keeping the door open for a move elsewhere, despite strong interest from both Italy and England.

Fabrizio Romano, the Italian journalist who has insider knowledge of so many transactions that are being considered during transfer windows, offered an update on the Rocco Vata situation yesterday.

He tweeted: ‘Watford have opened talks to sign Ireland U21 international forward Rocco Vata. 2005 born talent has also received new contract proposal from Celtic, no deal in place yet but talks still on.

Bologna, Como and (Nottingham) Forest already had proposals rejected for Vata.’

🟡⚫️ Watford have opened talks to sign Ireland U21 international forward Rocco Vata.

2005 born talent has also received new contract proposal from Celtic, no deal in place yet but talks still on ⚪️🟢

Bologna, Como and Forest already had proposals rejected for Vata. pic.twitter.com/UDuLpj4eGX

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2024

So three clubs have tried and failed to lure Vata; perhaps they will return with better proposals? Watford has entered the fray, and talks with Celtic are ongoing.

It’s been a long-running transfer drama that should be concluded next week in one way or another.

Rudi Vata’s latest book, Football, Freedom, and Paradise!, is out at the end of next month. It’s the interesting and inspirational tale of a former football player who overcame state tyranny to achieve the most basic of human needs: freedom.

Born in Albania in 1969, he grew up under the brutal communist government that governed the country for decades. Rudi determined that, ‘You do not choose to be born under a dictatorship, but you choose whether to live under it.’

Rudi devoted himself to football, believing that it would provide him with the means to achieve freedom and independence. After playing for his country in France in 1991, he deserted and requested political asylum. Thus began the odyssey that would take him all over the world to play the beautiful game, most notably in a successful time at Celtic, and live his life free.

This is more than just a football narrative; it’s the story of a man who battled for his freedom and still doesn’t take it for granted.

Hopefully, Rocco will sign his contract with Celtic within the next week or so, but if he decides to move elsewhere, he will be exercising his right to choose, which his father was denied at his age. If it’s Watford or Celtic, surely he’ll choose to stay with the team he supports?

In other news, “It’s a bit of a shame” verdict from Chris Sutton on potential Hyeongyu Oh Celtic exit amid Genk advances