Matt O’Riley is still a Celtic player and fans are hoping that remains the case at the end of the summer transfer window.
For months and months now, the Celtic supporters have been resigned to losing a player that has served them so well.
Matt O’Riley arrived when Ange Postecoglou was in the dugout, but he produced his best season of his career under Brendan Rodgers.
The 23-year-old played 49 matches in all competitions, scoring 19 goals and supplying 18 assists, including several strong performances in the Champions League.
That’s why several teams are pushing for his signature this summer, with sources telling HITC that West Ham United and Everton want to sign O’Riley, alongside the likes of Southampton, Fulham and Brentford.
The Celtic faithful won’t be surprised because the Denmark international is the best player in Scotland and proving too good to be playing in the Scottish Premiership.
That’s why if a club puts down the money required for the playmaker, then the champions of Scotland would accept the fact that they have to sell him.
Another club pushing for O’Riley is Italian side Atalanta after they won the Europa League last term and they will be playing Champions League football ahead of the new season.
Sources have told HITC Celtic’s latest stance on O’Riley as Atalanta’s second offer of £15 million is rejected.
Gordon Dalziel reacted to this latest offer and stated that he ‘agrees with the Celtic board’ for making such a call, as he told Clyde 1.
The former Rangers man thinks the Bhoys will look upwards of ‘£25 million’ for their player and explained how he has ‘added so much to his game’ in recent years.
Celtic reject second Matt O’Riley transfer offer from Atalanta
“I never thought for one minute that Celtic would sell at that price,” said Dalziel. “I am not putting him in the £28-30 million bracket, it’s whatever a team is prepared to pay for you.
“But I would certainly agree with Celtic at not selling him at that because Matt O’Riley has been absolutely brilliant since he came to Celtic. He has added so much to his game. I think Celtic are hoping for top dollar for him.
“I definitely agree with the Celtic board that I wouldn’t be letting Matt O’Riley go for £14 million. A lot better player than that. I think Celtic would look at between £20-25 million.”
Celtic should push to keep Matt O’Riley
Rodgers delivered another Scottish Premiership title and also secured a dramatic victory over Rangers in the Scottish Cup final.
But they should do everything they can to keep O’Riley because it enhances their chances in the Champions League.
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That has been the biggest frustration for Celtic because, post-Christmas, they always find themselves out of Europe and a player like O’Riley keeps you fighting.
But if the inevitable does happen and O’Riley heads for the exit door, then Mark Wilson warned that Paulo Bernardo can’t replace O’Riley.
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