Serie A club Atalanta continue their pursuit of Celtic’s talented midfielder Matt O’Riley, having submitted a fourth bid worth €23 million. Despite their persistent efforts, Fabrizio Romano reports that the Italian side remains €5 million short of Celtic’s €28 million valuation, leading to another rejection from the Scottish champions.
Atalanta’s interest in O’Riley has been evident since the beginning of the summer transfer window. However, Celtic has stood firm on their asking price, unwilling to compromise on the value of one of their star players. The situation is further complicated by the interest of Brighton & Hove Albion, who have also expressed a desire to sign the Danish international.
O’Riley’s impressive performance last season, where he scored 19 goals and provided 18 assists in 49 appearances, has made him a highly sought-after player in the UK. At just 23 years old, his potential for growth makes him an attractive prospect for clubs like Atalanta, especially as they anticipate the possible departure of Teun Koopmeiners to Juventus.
Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta’s manager, acknowledged the challenge of securing O’Riley, especially with the competition from Brighton. However, he remains hopeful that a deal could be reached if Celtic’s valuation is met. Gasperini has openly discussed the need for a creative midfielder, particularly if Koopmeiners leaves, which would increase the urgency to acquire O’Riley.
