Matt O’Riley has been the subject of much transfer speculation this summer as the Celtic hero continues to attract some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
We have discussed previously how ten clubs appear to be looking to sign O’Riley as Celtic try to ward off potential suitors for their star player.
With Atalanta looking like the club showing the most conviction in their pursuit of O’Riley, Celtic are also needing to deal with newly promoted English Premier League club, Southampton’s advances for the Danish international.
However, with Brendan Rodgers asserting his authority on O’Riley’s future yesterday, it seems that Celtic will play hardball with any club that has ideas of trying to poach the Celtic midfielder.
And as Atletico Madrid’s interest could be over after their pursuit of Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, it appears that the La Liga club may have ignited the Premier League side’s interest in the Celtic treble-winner.
Chelsea ‘join list’ of club’s after Matt O’Riley
O’Riley enjoyed an excellent pre-season during Celtic’s US Tour. A captain’s performance against DC United was followed up by impressive outings against the Premier League’s Man City and Chelsea.
However, it appears that it is O’Riley’s performance against Chelsea that has sparked Enzo Maresca’s interest in the Celtic hero according to the latest report in The Scottish Sun.
The report claims that Chelsea has joined the list of O’Riley’s ‘growing admirers’ and Maresca sees the Celtic midfielder as a ‘possible candidate’ to replace the outgoing Conor Gallagher.
With Southampton also keen on snapping up O’Riley, it seems that a bidding war could be sparked down south should either club take the next step in trying to capture Celtic’s Player of the Year.
Celtic must stand firm on Matt O’Riley
Whilst the money on offer from England in terms of salary will dwarf anything Celtic can offer O’Riley, Celtic must stand firm this summer on the Denmark international.
Nothing less than the going rate for a player of O’Riley’s quality should be accepted by the club as at just 23, O’Riley has great potential in terms of a sell-on value which means Celtic should capitalise on that.
Also, to lose a player of his quality at this point of the season would be a huge blow as Brendan Rodgers looks to defend his Scottish Premiership title.
Look, I am a realist, I understand that O’Riley could earn life-changing money when his next big move comes about, but Celtic and Rodgers must try to convince him to stay for at least one more season and for another crack at the Champions League where, should he excel again, many more top clubs in Europe in a better position than Chelsea will look to snap him up.
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