Euro 2024 might be taking centre stage right now, but that hasn’t stopped transfer rumours doing the rounds involving Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers would have already sent his demands and transfer wishlist to the powers that be after the summer window re-opened on Friday.
Celtic might have won the title during the recently concluded campaign and beat Rangers in the Scottish Cup final, but there is still some work to do with the current squad.
Yes, fans will be hoping for some proven stars to come in to, not only push them towards the title again, but also help the team in the Champions League.
But you feel a lot will also depend on who heads for the exit door because there are some players the fans just don’t want to lose.
Matt O’Riley is at the top of that list after his outstanding campaign, but there has been strong interest in the player for months now.
Andy Walker is expecting O’Riley to leave after being told that Celtic have put a ‘£34 million’ transfer fee on top of the midfielder’s head.
The former Bhoys striker added that ‘Celtic will do business’ at that level and then bring in the next star, as he told Go Radio.
O’Riley should consider himself unlucky that he missed out on Denmark’s squad for Euro 2024 after scoring 19 goals and supplying 18 assists.
But Walker thinks that could now be the 23-year-old’s last hurrah at Parkhead, which included winning the Treble under Ange Postecoglou.
Matt O’Riley transfer fee
“If you are talking about business at that level, then Celtic will do business,” said Walker about the rumoured £34 million fee. “That is their model.
“No one would bat an eye because Celtic tend to identify players in a much lower category, as they did with Matt O’Riley. Bring him to Glasgow. Play him in the Scottish Premiership, fatten him up and sell him on. I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes. But it will be a hefty fee.”
If Matt O’Riley leaves Celtic…
It would be a body blow, but you feel that the fans are preparing for it, so it wouldn’t hurt as much.
Saying that, who would replace O’Riley if he leaves? Do Celtic go down the same road and bring in another up-and-coming star, before transforming him into a top player?
READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers faces battle to keep hold of key Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers
Or do the powers that be at the club put serious money on the table for a proven player, so Celtic can, not only compete on the domestic scene, but also in Europe?
Fans are getting sick and tired of the team getting booted out of Europe before Christmas because they now need to find the ingredients to compete at that level.
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