If Vata was to complete the move to Italy he would initially feature in Atalanta’s B team in Primavera, but the club plans to develop him into the first team in the future.

Celtic are yet to offer the Republic of Ireland under-21 international a new deal despite his current terms running out in the summer.

Other Italian clubs including Inter Milan and Torino have scouted Vata in the past, but Atalanta are currently the front runners to tie up a deal.

Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers outlined his impressive credentials after Celtic handed Philippe Clement his first defeat as Rangers boss with a 2-1 win at Parkhead.

“Over my two spells here I have worked against five Rangers managers and every time Rangers were coming,” said Rodgers, who revealed defender Stephen Welsh injured a shoulder before he was taken off.

“So it’s normal for me.” If I believed the media and the news, we would be in a perpetual state of crisis and fear of Rangers.

“But now it’s the fifth manager.” So my concentration is solely on Celtic, with a strong emphasis on here, and most of the nonsense that may circulate is, luckily, ignored.

“We demonstrated today, despite the fact that we are still missing key players and players who will make a difference for us, that we are competitive, that we can play football, and that we can compete.” And this is something we will continue to do.

“There’s no denying Philippe has helped Rangers.” He’s arrived, and he’s applied his experience and common sense. He has established the team up well. They are competitive and they play as a team.

“We knew it was going to be a challenge for us. We had to take on the challenge and that is what I have always done when I’ve been here.”