Matt O’Riley, a midfielder for Celtic, is expected to be in demand this summer due to Premier League interest.
Mat O’Riley, a midfielder for Celtic, would ‘absolutely’ be sought for by Parkhead during the 2024 summer transfer window, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.
Under Brendan Rodgers’ direction, the Hoops are presently leading the Scottish Premiership standings and are looking to win the league at Celtic Park for the third time in a row.
O’Riley has been an integral part of the Bhoys’ success in the last two seasons and may be at the center of a summer transfer controversy. A number of Premier League and European teams have expressed interest in the midfield player in recent months, and he may be on the move by the end of the 2023–2024 season.
O’Riley faces ‘big’ summer decision on next steps
The midfielder was the subject of reported interest from Atletico Madrid in the winter
O’Riley will be ‘in demand’ this summer, according to GMS sources, and a transfer to the Premier League is definitely possible. For a £1.5 million transfer fee, the 23-year-old left Milton Keynes Dons during the winter transfer window of 2022 and joined Parkhead.
Under the direction of Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers, O’Riley has since established himself as a regular and grown into one of the team’s and the division’s top players. O’Riley was valued at £25 million by Celtic, according to a story published in Tipsbladet in February, following interest in him from Atletico Madrid during the winter transfer window of 2024.
O’Riley’s services were rejected late in the transfer window by Championship power Leeds United last summer, indicating that the Hoops star is already in high demand come the end of the 2023–2024 campaign. According to GMS sources, the Denmark international has a busy summer ahead of him and may decide to depart Celtic Park. Head coach of the Houston Rockets, Aaron Rodgers, will be anxious to keep O’Riley on board after calling the gifted youngster from London a “wonderful player”:
“I like him a lot. I think he is a really intelligent footballer. He is a top professional. He prepares his body well, and he prepares his life well. He wants to do well. He sets his standards high every day to be better. I really like him, his build-up play is good, he takes the ball, and he needs to work on his pressing and intensity, but he is a wonderful footballer, and he is a good guy as well.”
| Matt O’Riley – vs current Celtic Premiership squad 2023/24 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Output | Squad rank | |
| Overall rating | 7.66 | 1st |
| Goals | 11 | 1st |
| Assists | 10 | 1st |
| Shots per game | 3 | 1st |
| Key passes per game | 2.3 | 2nd |
| Crosses per game | 1.7 | =1st |
| Tackles per game | 1.8 | 3rd |
O’Riley generating Premier League interest
Brighton and Brentford are monitoring his situation
Our sources indicate that Premier League clubs could make a move for O’Riley, whilst there is also interest from abroad. Brighton & Hove Albion have been ‘watching him closely’, whilst Brentford ‘like’ the midfielder too. O’Riley could look at the opportunity to make the move back south of the border and into one of Europe’s big five leagues as an opportunity too good to turn down.
Meanwhile, GMS sources also understand that Leeds may be tempted to make an offer for the Celtic star, if they achieve promotion to the Premier League, offering another route back to England for the ex-Fulham star. The Hoops would be tempted to sell O’Riley if they can bring in enough money for his services. With three years still remaining on his contract, the reigning Premiership champions hold all the cards in potential negotiations.
