Breaking News: Southampton Withdraws from Pursuit of Celtic’s Matt O’Riley as Transfer Specul… Read More 👇
Southampton Withdraws from Pursuit of Celtic’s Matt O’Riley as Transfer Specul… Read More 👇
Southampton’s manager, Russell Martin, has officially confirmed that the club is no longer pursuing Celtic’s highly-regarded midfielder, Matt O’Riley.
This development follows weeks of speculation linking the player with a potential move to the English club, where Martin had hoped to reunite with O’Riley, a player he previously managed during their time together at MK Dons.
Martin’s admiration for O’Riley is well-documented.
Earlier in the summer, the Southampton boss publicly expressed his desire to work with the talented playmaker again, citing the strong professional relationship they had built at MK Dons.
However, despite his interest, Southampton is unable to meet Celtic’s financial demands for the player, leading to their withdrawal from the race to secure his signature.
Celtic has made it clear that they are not willing to part with O’Riley for anything less than a significant transfer fee.
The Scottish champions have already rejected four bids from Italian side Atalanta, who have been persistent in their pursuit of the Denmark international.
Reports suggest that Atalanta’s offers have fallen short of Celtic’s valuation, with the Glasgow club holding out for a figure in excess of £25 million, which would set a new record for a sale from the club.
In a recent statement, Martin was candid about Southampton’s current financial constraints, admitting that the club is not in a position to compete with the high asking price set by Celtic.
When asked directly about their interest in O’Riley, Martin responded, “We are not in the race right now.” This admission marks a significant turning point in the saga, as Southampton was previously considered a leading contender for the midfielder’s signature.
Despite the ongoing transfer rumors, O’Riley appears content to remain at Celtic, at least for the time being.
The 22-year-old is under contract with the club until 2027, and there has been no indication from his camp that he is actively seeking a move away this summer.
Instead, O’Riley is reportedly adopting a wait-and-see approach, willing to see how the situation unfolds as the transfer window approaches its August 30 deadline.
Celtic’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, has also made his stance clear, warning potential buyers that the club will not sell their star player for less than his market value.
Rodgers’ firm position has likely contributed to the high asking price, as Celtic aims to maximize their return on one of their most valuable assets.
While Southampton has pulled out of the race, other clubs remain interested in O’Riley. Both Chelsea and Brighton have been monitoring the midfielder’s situation closely, though neither has made a formal bid at this time.
Meanwhile, Atalanta, fresh off their Europa League triumph, are reportedly edging closer to meeting Celtic’s demands, signaling that the Italian club is not yet ready to abandon their pursuit.
Amid all the speculation, O’Riley has managed to maintain his focus on the pitch. The midfielder has started the season in impressive form, showing no signs that the transfer rumors are affecting his performance.
His professionalism and on-field contributions have been crucial for Celtic as they look to defend their Scottish Premiership title and make a mark in European competitions.
As the transfer window edges closer to closing, it remains to be seen whether O’Riley will stay at Celtic or make a move to one of the interested clubs.
For now, however, Southampton has made their position clear, leaving the door open for other suitors to make their move.
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