Atalanta have hit the accelerator on their pursuit of Celtic midfielder Rocco Vata and have overtaken three other Italian sides in the process.
Vata is out of contract at Celtic in the summer and has widely been expected to move on from the Scottish champions when his deal is up.
Atalanta, Torino, Frosinone and Sampdoria are all in the mix to sign the Celtic talent – but it is Atalanta who have picked up the pace.
Atalanta have now moved into pole position to get a deal done though and, according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.com, they want to sign Vata in January.
The Serie A side are eyeing an operation worth €400,000 to bring Vata to Italy next month.
Atalanta’s plan is to place Vata within their youth team and then monitor how he develops.
Vata has been in superb form for Celtic’s B team in the Lowland League this term, scoring ten goals in just eleven outings, while he has also appeared in the UEFA Youth League.
Celtic could net a €400,000 windfall from Vata’s exit to Atalanta in the January transfer window, boosting their coffers and softening the blow of losing him.
