Celtic reject FOURTH Matt O'Riley bid from

Celtic reject FOURTH Matt O’Riley bid from Atalanta as Italians still short of… Read More.

Atalanta’s pursuit of Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley has hit another roadblock as the Scottish champions rejected the Italian club’s fourth bid for the player. The Serie A side has shown persistent interest in O’Riley, but their offers have consistently fallen short of Celtic’s valuation. The latest bid, reported by Sky Sports, was around £20 million, but this figure was swiftly dismissed by Celtic, who are holding out for at least £25 million.

Celtic’s stance is clear: they are determined to secure a record transfer fee for O’Riley, surpassing the £25 million they previously received for Kieran Tierney’s move to Arsenal and Jota’s transfer to Al-Ittihad. The club’s firm position reflects their belief in O’Riley’s value and potential, as well as their desire to make a statement in the transfer market.

Atalanta’s interest in O’Riley is shared by several other clubs, including Premier League side Brighton and Championship team Southampton. Brighton is reportedly in talks with Celtic, while Southampton’s interest is driven by their manager, Russell Martin, who previously worked with O’Riley at MK Dons. Despite the speculation surrounding his future, O’Riley has continued to perform well on the pitch, notably delivering a strong performance against Kilmarnock recently.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has praised O’Riley’s professionalism amid the transfer rumors, emphasizing that the midfielder’s attitude and commitment have been exemplary. Rodgers reiterated that any potential transfer would only be considered if the club’s valuation is met, underscoring the club’s determination to retain their key players unless a significant offer is made.

O’Riley’s statistics from the previous season highlight his importance to Celtic. The 23-year-old scored 19 goals and provided 18 assists in 49 appearances, making him one of the standout performers in the team. His contributions have not gone unnoticed, attracting attention from clubs across Europe.

Atalanta’s persistence in trying to secure O’Riley’s signature indicates their belief in his potential to succeed in Serie A. However, the Italian club will need to significantly increase their offer if they hope to convince Celtic to part ways with one of their most promising talents.

As the transfer window progresses, it remains to be seen whether Atalanta or any other interested clubs will meet Celtic’s valuation for O’Riley. For now, the midfielder remains a key part of Rodgers’ plans, and his focus appears to be firmly on continuing to deliver strong performances for Celtic, regardless of the ongoing speculation surrounding his future.