Arsenal report: Celtic wonderkid could join for a bargain

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Arsenal are one of five clubs interested in a 17-year-old Celtic starlet who could well join the Gunners' exciting young core

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session at London Colney on October 19, 2022 in St Albans, England.
(Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal are leading the chase for a 17-year-old Celtic starlet tipped for big things.

The Gunners are still top of the league, following a 1-1 draw against Southampton at the weekend. The result was Arteta's team's first draw in the Premier League for nine months but still leaves them clear of Manchester City in second. 

Now, Arsenal are said to be competing with Manchester City not just on the pitch but for a youngster who is generating hype in Scotland.

Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal gather the players during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Arsenal FC at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Southampton, England

Arsenal are still top of the league, following the 1-1 draw against Southampton (Image credit: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Italian outlet TUTTOmercato have named Arsenal and City as the two Premier League sides who have registered an interest in Celtic youngster Rocco Vata, who has been in outstanding form for the Bhoys' B-sides. 

Born in Glasgow, Vata has represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level and is eligible for Albania and Montenegro. The midfielder has also caught the attention of Serie A clubs Juventus, Roma and AC Milan.

Celtic are said to be holding out for just under £2 million for the teen sensation, which seems like a lot of money to spend on a youngster with very little first team experience.

Given that Arsenal have shown willing to invest in teenage talent in the past though and even throw them in at the deep end – 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri was given his debut against Brentford – the fee might seem like small change to the club.

Celtic's Rocco Vata during a pre-season friendly between SC Wiener Viktoria and Celtic at Sportplatz Wiener Viktoria, on July 06, 2022, in Vienna, Austria.

Celtic's Rocco Vata is being chased by a handful of clubs (Image credit: Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)

Reiss Nelson has also revealed how he's been tasked with looking after starlet Nwaneri.

Vata has scored five times in the Lowland League since July.

More Arsenal stories

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli; the Gunners are said to have already made contact with the Italy international's camp. The club are also interested in Evan Ndicka in defence, while N'Golo Kante and Federico Valverde are targets, too. 

Meanwhile, one man who could be heading for the Emirates Stadium exit door is Gabriel Martinelli: there's been talk of Chelsea making a shock swoop for the winger.

In other news, Aaron Ramsdale says that the Gunners have been motivated to succeed this season by the disappointment of missing out on Champions League qualification last term. 

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.