Crystal Palace and West Ham linked with swoop for Celtic prospect

Crystal Palace and West Ham are both said to be keen on Celtic youngster Rocco Vata. The Premier League pair are being linked with a swoop for the midfielder.

According to reporter Nicolo Schira on Twitter, the London duo are ‘interested’ in luring him down to England. The teenager is being tipped for a bright future in the game but his current club risk losing him at the moment.

Crystal Palace and West Ham could both see him as one for the future. The 17-year-old is also already a U19 youth international for the Republic of Ireland.

Vata, who was born in Glasgow, has been on the books at Celtic for his whole career to date. His father, Rudi, also played for the Hoops from 1993 to 1996.

He has risen up through the academy ranks at Celtic Park and has been a key player for the Scottish Premiership giants at various youth levels over the past few years. They handed him his first professional deal back in 2021 and he trained with the first-team last summer after catching the eye for the B team.

Vata made his senior debut last month after coming off the bench in their away win at Hibernian. His contract expires in 2024 but Celtic now apparently face competition from Crystal Palace and West Ham as they look to keep hold of their young prospect.