Celtic look to be in the end game with Matt O’Riley as Brighton & Hove Albion look to close a deal to sign the Denmark international.
Reports suggest the Seagulls have offered £26 million for O’Riley and if his current employers accept, the move could be rounded off in swift fashion.
The Daily Record even claim that he could make his debut for Brighton this weekend against Manchester United if all terms and conditions are ticked off, which leaves Brendan Rodgers with an enormous dilemma in the engine room.
Recently, the Irishman has indicated that he would like two midfielders in the building if O’Riley were to depart.
Paulo Bernardo has been brought in permanently and will be expected to hit the ground running. Meanwhile, Tomoki Iwata and Odin Thiago Holm make up the full compliment in midfield alongside club captain Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate.
With speculation flying around, Mark Wilson has delivered his verdict on the current situation involving Celtic’s engine room.
Mark Wilson’s verdict on the Celtic midfield situation
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, the former Celtic defender believes Celtic need to spend on at least one midfielder to try and supplement the creative void that could be left by O’Riley.
He stated: “I do think there was a period that I think Bernardo might have been the replacement, but I don’t think he’s going to be. But anyway, he’s in the building anyway. I still think you need one.
“I don’t think Iwata can do anything like what Matt O’Riley can do in terms of where he takes you in the pitch and the goals he scores.
“I think Iwata is more a replacement for Cal McGregor or you can maybe push McGregor on a wee bit. Anyway, I think you need someone in that gives you that quality, that creativity that Matt O’Riley gives you.
“I don’t think it’s in the building just now at Celtic if Matt O’Riley leaves tomorrow.”
Celtic need to find a swift solution in the market
Celtic will inherit a potential record sum of money should O’Riley leave, but that makes no difference to supporters if it isn’t spent correctly.
Augsburg midfielder Arne Engels and Lausanne-Sport’s Alvyn Sanches have been identified as prospective remedies to the issue at hand. Both are exciting young talents, but it remains to be seen whether deals could be done.
Ultimately, Celtic can’t risk the squad being weaker by the end of the window. There is real optimism after a strong start that the club can be competitive on all fronts, so the hierarchy have to match that ambition by equipping Rodgers with the best tools they possibly can.
It is vital there are moves made in the market by next Friday to strengthen the squad. Let’s see what the reigning champions have up their sleeve.
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