Reports claim that several English top flight sides are planning a late raid of Parkhead for the in demand Dane.
In the final week of the transfer window, English Premier League clubs are expected to start a bidding “war,” which will put Celtic’s determination over Matt O’Riley to the ultimate test.
The Hoops midfielder is a target for Atletico Madrid, who plan to go permanently to the Spanish city after completing a season-long loan.Record Sport is aware that the winners of the Premiership
would reject Atleti’s attempts and demand at least the £25 million they paid for Portuguese player Jota in the summer. Diego Simeone, who has already spent £23 million on adolescent sensation Arthur from Royal Antwerp, would find it to be too rich.
The Argentine is still hoping to get O’Riley. However, according to the Daily Mail, a number of English heavyweights are expected to leave before the window ends in one week. The cost might increase as a result, and the former MK Dons player might find the allure of the best flight down south too strong. Nevertheless, since O’Riley just inked a new, long-term contract, Celtic does not have an immediate financial need to sell.
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Shutting it all out- Celtic dressing room blanks out growing transfer speculation
Stephen Welsh has claimed that the Celtic squad is immune to transfer speculation.
Interest in Matt O’Riley has exploded over the last week with Sky Sports revealing interest from Girona and yesterday, a bid from Atletico Madrid.
Over the last 12 months Celtic have lost Josip Juranovic, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Jota, Carl Starfelt and Aaron Mooy with the arrivals not quite of that standard.
The demands and expectations are still the same; after playing an extra game, Celtic leads the SPFL by five points at the midway point.
Welsh informed the Daily Record that the first team squad is shielded from transfer rumors and speculation because he is aware of the demands of life at Celtic:
This is the typical course of events at a major team like Celtic. The top players and those who have excelled in the Champions League will be given special attention.
That’s the way it is. Us players don’t really look at it, we just concentrate on the football. It is pretty common. If it’s going to happen, then it happens. But until someone signs on the dotted line the only club everyone is focused on is Celtic. All of us think the same.
It’s about advancing and putting forth a lot of effort for this club. The lads are really positive in their outlook. Nobody actually gives it much thought, therefore it doesn’t really matter who gets connected away. Here, everyone is happy. There is a genuine sense of urgency to secure the remaining two trophies.
More information was provided in yesterday’s Atletico Madrid piece, which mentioned the possibility of an initial loan to sign O’Riley followed by a summer purchase requirement.
Being well-versed in the workings of the transfer market, Brendan Rodgers will be hoping that Celtic’s recruitment team can find strong replacements to balance out the inevitable losses, even though he cannot stop third parties showing interest in his players.
