Record Celtic transfer valuation isn’t putting off suitors

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Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is targeting a surprise move for Matt O’Riley.

O’Riley who has undeniably been Celtic’s star player this season has been linked with the move to Tottenham Hotspur who currently sit top of the English Premier League. TEAMTALK yesterday reported that Spurs are one of four Premier League sides eying a move for O’Riley including West Ham, Brighton, and Brentford.

Ange Postecoglou managed O’Riley for 17 months at Celtic and brought the midfielder to the club from MK Dons back in January 2022 for £1.5 million, a move that has proved to be an inspired piece of business.

Celtic previously rejected a bid for O’Riley in the summer believed to be around £10 million from English Championship side Leeds United. With Anthony Joseph reporting a bid had been rejected by the club.

Southampton were also said to at the time be interested in O’Riley, but with the Danish International’s recent strong performances for the Hoops, it appears unlikely that the Saints will be in contention for O’Riley’s signature at the time of the writing.

Renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano believes if O’Riley is to leave Celtic Park it will take a Scottish transfer record fee. The current Scottish record transfer fee is £25 million which Celtic received for Jota this summer, and for Kieran Tierney back in 2019.

O’Riley is currently top scorer in the Scottish Premiership this season with six goals. Brendan Rodgers has helped O’Riley transform his game and add goals the one thing he has lacked in his time at the club. With a transformative season so far, O’Riley is now one of the first names on the team sheet.

O’Riley is clearly thriving this under Rodgers with assists for Kyogo Furuhashi against Lazio and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. The midfielder has previously spoken about the impact Rodgers has had on him in his second spell in charge of the Hoops and the difference between Rodgers and Postecoglou.

O’Riley said: [The Sun],“It’s just different managerial styles. It’s strange how people jump on it like they do, but that’s football, especially when it’s pre-season and we need something to talk about.

“Under the previous manager I got so much better as a player. So I can’t say I didn’t like him at all because in my career he’s the one I’ve learnt most from.

“Brendan had previous success here, but Ange showed when he was here he had major success as well and obviously got himself a really good move from it.

“For me, to have different styles to work with early in my career will help me.”

O’Riley recently signed a four-year contract extension on 30 September 2023, which makes the chances of a move away from Celtic Park unlikely in the near future. However, the allure of the English Premier League and its financial resources mean that if Tottenham can stump up the right fee it may prove too good an offer to refuse for the Celtic hierarchy.