- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Atalanta have submitted an opening bid for Matt O’Riley and the Celtic midfielder would relish the prospect of potentially replacing Teun Koopmeiners at the Serie A outfit.
HITC understands that Celtic’s hopes of retaining their reigning Player of the Year have taken a hit with Matt O’Riley very interested in pursuing a move to Bergamo.
Atalanta have launched their first bid for the London-born Denmark international.
And while it appears unlikely Celtic will accept – The Hoops are holding out for a fee that would make O’Riley their most expensive ever export – the 23-year-old views Atalanta as the ideal club to help him reach the next step in his career.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are famed for their outstanding track record when it comes to plucking talented young players like the ‘wonderful’ O’Riley and turning them into some of the best on the continent.
It’s fitting, then, that O’Riley would potentially replace Teun Koopmeiners at the Gewiss Stadium.
Celtic star Matt O’Riley wants Atalanta move
Juventus are in talks to sign a £50 million-rated Dutch enforcer who has also been scouted by Chelsea, per the Juve FC website.
Koopmeiners, snapped up from Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar for a mere fraction of that fee two years ago, is a prime example of Atalanta’s ability to turn good players into great ones.
HITC have been told that O’Riley’s camp are urging Celtic to let the former Fulham youngster go for fee lower than the one the Premiership champions have slapped on his head. Their current stance would required Atalanta to stump up in excess of the £25 million Al-Ittihad paid to take Jota to Saudi Arabia a year ago.
Perhaps, after surprisingly being omitted from Denmark’s Euro 2024 squad, O’Riley feels that he must move on from Scottish football if he is to establish himself as a key part of Kasper Hjulmand’s plans.
A switch to one of the most high-profile clubs in Italy – Atalanta are regulars in Europe and one the Europa League last term thanks to Ademola Lookman’s historic hat-trick – would undoubtedly do his Denmark prospects no harm.
“You have to put it into the context of how the Scottish league is in relation to the (Danish) Superliga, the Bundesliga or Spain,” Hjulmand said, via the Daily Record, hinting that O’Riley would not be a central player for his side as long as he remains in Glasgow.
“We are fully aware of that. There are constant considerations.”
Premier League interest in Hoops ace too
O’Riley was in outstanding form throughout the 2023/24 campaign.
Celtic’s most impressive and consistent performer, he ended the season with 19 goals and 18 assists from midfield. O’Riley dazzled too during the Champions League meeting with Atletico Madrid, proving himself worthy of the very highest level and making himself a target for Diego Simeone’s side in the process.
HITC reported last week that Southampton were also hot on his heels, hoping to get a deal done for around £20 million. That is £10 million short of Celtic’s asking price, however.
Saints boss Russell Martin worked worth a young O’Riley at MK Dons and made no secret of the fact he attempted to spark a reunion at Swansea City.
West Ham United, Everton, Fulham and Brentford have also held talks, though Serie A now appears to be O’Riley’s favoured destination.
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