Atalanta opt to 'move away' from pursuing...

Atalanta opt to ‘move away’ from pursuing Celtic’s Matt O’Riley. Full Story 👇

Atalanta have decided to step back from their pursuit of Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley and are now on the verge of securing a deal for Udinese’s Lazar Samardzic. Initially, O’Riley was Atalanta’s top target to replace Teun Koopmeiners, who is expected to join Juventus. However, negotiations between Celtic and Atalanta hit a deadlock, with Celtic rejecting several offers from the Italian club, the highest of which reportedly reached €27 million.

Celtic’s firm stance on O’Riley’s valuation prompted Atalanta to explore alternative options, leading them to Samardzic. The 22-year-old Serbian international, who has already made 11 appearances for his national team, presents a more cost-effective option for Atalanta. Unlike O’Riley, Samardzic is familiar with Serie A, which could facilitate a smoother transition to Atalanta’s system.

Samardzic’s potential move to Atalanta is gaining traction, with reports suggesting that he will be left out of Udinese’s squad for their upcoming Serie A opener against Bologna. This omission is seen as a strong indication that a transfer is imminent, as clubs often sideline players who are on the verge of completing moves to avoid injury risks.

Atalanta’s shift in focus from O’Riley to Samardzic highlights the complexities and challenges of the transfer market, where negotiations can often hit unexpected roadblocks. O’Riley, who has been a key player for Celtic, remains highly regarded, but the Scottish club’s determination to hold out for a higher fee has ultimately led Atalanta to consider other options.

For Atalanta, Samardzic represents not only a financially prudent choice but also a player with proven experience in the Italian league. The midfielder has shown considerable promise at Udinese, and his potential arrival at Atalanta could be a significant boost to the team as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, Celtic will retain O’Riley, at least for the time being, keeping a key asset in their squad as they aim to defend their domestic titles and make an impact in European competitions. The decision to stand firm on their asking price for O’Riley underscores Celtic’s confidence in the player’s value and their unwillingness to part with him unless their demands are met.

As the transfer window progresses, it will be interesting to see how both Atalanta and Celtic move forward, with Atalanta looking to finalize the Samardzic deal and Celtic potentially facing further interest in O’Riley from other clubs.