Italian side Roma are the most recent club to show an interest in Celtic star Matt O’Riley…

The midfielder has been in sensational form for the Hoops and it has garnered the attention of the masses as we head into the close season. With rumours linking the former MK Dons man away from the club this summertime, it seems like a matter of time before an offer lands on Brendan Rodgers’ desk up at Lennoxtown.

Ateltico Madrid are known admirers of th Danish international and were so taken with his performances against Diego Simeone’s side in the UEFA Champions League group stages that they made an offer for his services in January. That offer was well below what the club were looking for and also merely an initial loan deal with an obligation-to-buy in the summer transfer window. Celtic’s hierarchy were never going to sanction such a deal and renowned transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, revealed that it would take a Scottish transfer record for the Bhoys to part with the ex-Fulham academy star.

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Matt’s 18 goals last campaign has certainly aided the prospect of clubs in bigger leagues than Scotland taking a closer look at his talent and now we are in the situatuon of having to potentially replace another major asset. Nothing has materialised as of yet, but things can change very quickly in football; as they did when Jota was taken to Saudi Arabia out of the blue for a major fee.

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Sky Sports have reported that the Serie A side are looking at O’Riley this year but should they wish to bid for his services, they would need to have a big sale of their own to raise the funds. It’s hard to say at this stage if anybody will meet the reporter asking price for Matt and if that were the case, there would be no discussion to be had. £30+ million would be the magic number to get the club around the table with a prospective buyer and until that happens, it’s all smoke and no fire.

Paul Gillespie