‘Fantastic’ Arsenal target claims Newcastle United have been trying to sign him

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Newcastle United wanted Matt O’Riley this summer with the Celtic playmaker admitting there was interest from Eddie Howe’s side.

O’Riley’s ascent has become quite the story.

The midfielder was highly-rated at Fulham but turned down a new three-year deal in 2020 amid strong interest from other clubs.

Yet O’Riley then spent six months as a free agent, missing the first half of the 2020-21 season whilst training with Milton Keynes Dons.

The Dons did end up signing O’Riley in January 2021 and just a year later, Celtic pounced to sign him having dazzled in League One.

Newcastle United wanted Matt O’Riley

O’Riley has been simply outstanding for Celtic, bagging four goals and seven assists in 27 outings for the Bhoys.

Five assists in six league games this season is a ridiculous record and the Danish Under-21 international is showing outstanding creativity under Ange Postecoglou.

Celtic will be well aware that other clubs will fancy O’Riley.

Premier League clubs often look into signing Celtic players and the likes of Victor Wanyama, Virgil van Dijk, Kieran Tierney, Stuart Armstrong and Fraser Forster have all made the move in recent memory.

Celtic will at least hope to keep O’Riley into next summer and beyond but the interest is already mounting.

ESPN reported in August that Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are all keen on signing O’Riley, with Celtic demanding up to £20million.

O’Riley has now addressed his future whilst speaking to Tipsbladet over in Denmark.

O’Riley noted that Leicester City – managed by ex-Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers – showed ‘a lot of interest’ in his signature.

The Celtic star then claimed that Newcastle were also in the mix for his signature, something that hasn’t really been mentioned elsewhere.

Newcastle will have major money to spend but are trying top build gradually.

Landing a creative, technically-gifted player like O’Riley fits perfectly into Eddie Howe’s style of play and you can certainly see O’Riley starring alongside the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

This may be one to keep an eye on moving forward, with O’Riley suiting Newcastle’s current recruitment strategy perfectly – though Celtic will hope to stand firm and keep their ‘fantastic’ midfielder.