BREAKING: Celtic transfer latest as £2m deal to be struck and FIFTH Matt O’Riley Atalanta bid… Full Story👇
Celtic transfer latest as £2m deal to be struck and FIFTH Matt O’Riley Atalanta bid… Full Story👇
Celtic are on the verge of securing a £2 million bonus as Bosun Lawal prepares to finalize his move to Stoke City. The 21-year-old Irish defender, who joined Celtic from Watford, has attracted the interest of the Potters, leading to an accepted offer by the Hoops. Lawal, who spent last season on loan at Fleetwood Town, is expected to sign a three-year contract with Stoke, marking their fifth signing of the summer transfer window. After undergoing a medical over the weekend, his transfer announcement is anticipated imminently.
In other transfer news, Celtic are gearing up for a fifth bid from Atalanta for their highly sought-after midfielder, Matt O’Riley. The Italian club, fresh off their Europa League victory, had a £20 million offer for O’Riley rejected last week. Celtic, however, are holding out for a record-breaking fee that would surpass the £25 million they received for Kieran Tierney’s transfer to Arsenal five years ago. The 23-year-old Denmark international has also caught the attention of Premier League clubs Chelsea, Brighton, and Southampton, but he has not expressed any desire to leave Celtic.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers acknowledged that O’Riley would be allowed to speak with other clubs if their valuation is met but admitted that replacing the talented midfielder would be a challenging task. Rodgers praised O’Riley’s development over the years and emphasized that finding a player of similar caliber would be difficult. He also indicated that if O’Riley were to depart, the club would not be spending the full transfer fee on a single replacement, as the midfielder is currently invaluable to the squad.
Rodgers added that while he was not aware of any new bids for O’Riley, the player remains focused on training and performing well for Celtic. The manager reiterated that until an official offer is made and accepted, O’Riley will continue to be a key part of the team.
On the incoming transfer front, Celtic remain in negotiations with Norwich City over a potential deal for striker Adam Idah. The 23-year-old forward, who scored the winning goal in the Scottish Cup final, has been a target for Celtic throughout the summer. Norwich is reportedly open to selling Idah if a package worth between £6 million and £8 million is presented. Idah came off the bench in Norwich’s recent 2-0 defeat to Oxford United, but his future at the club remains uncertain.
Rodgers has been keen to bring Idah to Celtic Park, especially after star striker Kyogo Furuhashi suffered a shoulder injury in the recent match against Hibernian. While there has been no official update on the progress of the Idah deal, Rodgers emphasized the need to strengthen the squad in the coming weeks, particularly with the demands of competing in multiple competitions.
As Celtic navigate these potential transfers, the club’s focus remains on maintaining their dominance in Scottish football while also preparing for their European campaigns. The possible departure of O’Riley would be a significant blow to the team, but the addition of Idah could provide a much-needed boost to their attacking options. The next few days and weeks will be crucial for Celtic as they look to finalize deals and strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
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