Chris Sutton has offered an immediate reaction to the latest transfer news concerning Celtic star Matt O’Riley.
Our Danish midfielder has been interesting the likes of Italian giants Inter Milan and La Liga high-fliers Girona during the current January window.
It comes as absolutely no surprise because quite simply, O’Riley has been a revelation for the Hoops this season. The 23-year-old is a quality player and has now added goals to his game, scoring 10 and assisting 12 in 29 games so far.
It’s a remarkable return for a player bought for a staggeringly low £1.5m from MK Dons a couple of years ago and the Bhoys will inevitably make a huge return on the player.
But could a Celtic exit be sanctioned this month? Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have now entered the fray and per Sky Sports, the club have lodged a loan with an obligation buy bid for O’Riley.
Sutton has raved about O’Riley all season and you get a strong sense of urgency following his latest social media post that he’d love to see the Dane don the green and white hoops for a little while longer.
Chris Sutton on Matt O’Riley Atletico bid
Chris Sutton took to X to offer his opinion on the Matt O’Riley bid, writing that the midfielder simply must be kept in Glasgow until the end of the season.
The 50-year-old said: “Celtic can’t even consider selling now… O’Riley may end up going in the summer as we know the Celtic model but there’s a title to be won and that’s the priority right now…”
Sutton is adamant that Celtic must block any attempt to lure O’Riley out of Celtic this month.
He’s spot on because there is just a little over a week left of the window and the Hoops have recruited just one player in Nicolas Kuhn.
To lose Matt O’Riley without doing any other business would be a travesty and a huge backwards step in our pursuit of a third successive Scottish Premiership title.
If O’Riley is to inevitably leave Celtic, then it has to be postponed until at least the summer of 2024.
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