Liverpool are the latest side to be linked with a move for Celtic star Matt O’Riley. The Danish international was Celtic’s Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year last season and has been linked with a move away this summer.
According to Rudy Galetti on Twitter/X, the Celtic midfielder is attracting interest from a number of European sides but that the Premier League giants are keeping updated on the 23-year-old’s availability.
🚨👀 Matt #ORiley has been included on the lists of some 🇪🇺 clubs.
⚔️ #Atalanta is the team that moved first for him, but the race for the #Celtic player is still open.
📃 #Liverpool and #Atleti are well-informed about the situation of the 🇩🇰 midfielder. 🐓⚽ @APaglia7 pic.twitter.com/IJV36bcg6s
— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) July 19, 2024
Liverpool are undergoing a rebuild under Arne Slot, who was manager of Feyenoord. The Dutch coach replaced Jurgen Klopp over the summer and will look to put his own stamp on the team. Slot knows all about O’Riley’s qualities, having come up against him in the UEFA Champions League last season. Indeed it was O’Riley’s late cross that brought about Gustaf Lagerbielke’s late winner at Celtic Park.
Atalanta have had their bid knocked back by Celtic. Reports in Italy had suggested that Juve could be the next side to test Celtic’s resolve. Although, it appears that their interest is at a distance with no official approach.
O’Riley is in the States with his Celtic teammates as Brendan Rodgers prepares for tomorrow’s pre-season fixtures against DC United, Chelsea and Man City. A number of clubs will likely look to revive their interest in the player but Celtic should hold firm.
The Dane was Celtic’s standout performer as Brendan’s side won another Premiership title as well as taking the Scottish Cup back to Paradise. The form was such that the Celtic support were surprised that O’Riley was pipped to the Scottish PFA award by Lawrence Shankland.
Since arriving from MK Dons in January 2022, O’Riley scored 8 goals and assisted 16 times in 72 appearances under Ange Postecoglou. The Australian departed for Spurs bringing Brendan Rodgers back to Paradise, which took O’Riley’s performances to another level – scoring 19 goals and assisting 18 times in 49 appearances.
