Atalanta are poised to make a renewed bid for Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, according to transfer specialist Matteo Moretto. The Serie A club remains undeterred after their initial €15 million offer was declined by the Scottish champions, who previously rebuffed a higher bid from another European team in January. Moretto reveals in his latest Daily Briefing column that Atalanta’s ambitions to secure O’Riley are still very much alive.
Ongoing Negotiations
Negotiations between Atalanta and Celtic are ongoing, with the Italian side eager to expedite the transfer process. Despite the initial setback, the recent Europa League winners are expected to present a new proposal shortly. Moretto notes that while Atalanta is keen to finalize the deal swiftly, no agreement has been reached with Celtic or the player yet. Talks continue, and the Nerazzurri hope to conclude the transfer in the near future. O’Riley, who has drawn interest from several other clubs, still needs to settle on personal terms with Atalanta.
Celtic’s Stand and O’Riley’s Performance
Celtic have set a firm asking price of €25 million for O’Riley, as reported by Gazzetta on Friday. The 23-year-old Danish international had an impressive 2023-24 season, scoring 19 goals in 49 matches across all competitions for Celtic. Despite the mounting interest and ongoing discussions, Celtic’s valuation remains a key factor in the potential transfer. Celtic’s strong stance on the transfer fee underscores the high regard in which they hold O’Riley, who has become a pivotal player for the team.
Interest from Other Clubs
In addition to Atalanta, several other clubs have shown interest in securing O’Riley’s services. His notable performance has caught the attention of multiple European teams, making the competition for his signature increasingly fierce. O’Riley’s ability to perform consistently at a high level has made him a valuable asset in the transfer market, adding to the intrigue surrounding his potential move.
Atalanta’s desire to accelerate the deal highlights their intention to strengthen their squad promptly ahead of the new season. The club’s management is focused on wrapping up negotiations as quickly as possible to integrate O’Riley into their lineup. While the negotiations are still in progress, Atalanta remains hopeful that a satisfactory agreement can be reached with both Celtic and O’Riley.
