Celtic will receive just £239,000 in compensation if Watford sign attacking midfielder Rocco Vata, according to The Athletic.

The website claims that the Hornets have shown “firm interest” in the Republic of Ireland Under 21 international, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Vata has been with the Hoops for eleven years but he is reportedly looking for more first-team football.

The 18-year-old has spent the majority of the last two seasons with Celtic B in the Lowland League, and manager Brendan Rodgers hasn’t given him many opportunities to impress for the senior side.

After being sent on as a substitute against Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup back in January, he did get on the scoresheet, but he has only had one further 5-minute cameo since then.

Celtic have offered Vata a new deal

The Scottish champions have already done all they can to keep the teenager at Parkhead, having tabled a three-year contract extension.

Talks with Vata have, though, not progressed and it is now looking increasingly likely that the Irishman will leave this summer.

Watford are not the only team interested in the midfielder

The Athletic report that three Italian clubs; Como, Sampdoria and Bologna have already registered their interest in signing Vata. Several other teams, including Manchester City, Arsenal, Frosinone, Monaco, Roma, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Torino and Lazio have also been linked.

It was reported last year that Nottingham Forest had tabled an offer for Vata, but the proposal was rejected by Celtic at the time, in the hope that he would stay in Glasgow. That decision may backfire with the Hoops set to get a rather meagre fee in return if he does leave for a team abroad. He can already discuss terms with foreign clubs due to his contract situation.