West Ham and Leicester City are set to join the race to sign in-demand Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, according to Caught Offside…
Despite both sides being hesitant to meet Celtic’s valuation of £25m, they are still prepared to enter negotiations ahead of the start of the Premier League season.
Serie A side Atalanta are also reportedly ready to come back with another bid after their proposal of around €18m was rejected by the Celts.
Earlier today, we reported that Chelsea are also keen on O’Riley now that Conor Gallagher is on the brink of a €40m transfer to Atletico Madrid.
Celtic remains in a fantastic position with O’Riley, with the star being tied down to a contract until 2027.
The Dane is enjoying his football under Brendan Rodgers and the manager has praised him in the media for his professionalism.
“He’s just continuing to work every day,” Rodgers said. “If you see his performance level all the way through pre-season and here today [against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park], he’s very focused on helping the team, very focused on improving as a player, and he knows he’s in a great place to do that.”
O’Riley enjoyed a great campaign last season, recording assists in the Champions League against the likes of Lazio, Atletico Madrid and Feyenoord.
Although he was left out of Denmark’s squad for the Euros, he has kept his sights on Celtic and hasn’t let the outside noise affect him.
Meanwhile, Celtic may be prepping to make a move for youngster Mason Melia, who has drawn the eye of Premier League champions Manchester City.
Jessica Elliott
Don’t know why our board would even enter so called negotiations if any club aren’t prepared to meet our valuation?
More importantly is to weather Oreily really is prepared to leave ourselves this window?
Still not totally convinced that Oreily is prepared to leave at present?
So could close all these rumours down by putting the not for sale signs up?
A big CL campaign will increase the value of Oreily, so can understand teams trying to get him before his value increases even more, and totally price many clubs out of the reckoning for him?
So why are they continually trying to mess around with the current fee, is beyond me?
The way Oreily is currently playing then the 25/30M looks cheap, compared to what many a club has paid out on shite in midfielders imo?