Atalanta's Fifth Bid for Celtic's Matt O'Riley: Transfer Update

Atalanta's Pursuit of Celtic Midfielder Matt O'Riley

Atalanta are reportedly preparing a fifth bid for Celtic's talented midfielder, Matt O'Riley, according to Sky Italy. This follows a series of rejected offers from the Serie A club, including a recent fourth bid of £20 million that was turned down by Celtic.

Previous Bids and Interest from Other Clubs

The Italian side has been interested in the Denmark international for over a month. Their attempts have included bids of £14 million, £14.3 million, and £15 million, all of which were rejected by the Scottish Premiership champions. In addition to Atalanta, other clubs are taking notice of O'Riley's potential, with Brighton in discussions with Celtic and Chelsea showing interest as well.

O'Riley's Impressive Performance Last Season

O'Riley had an outstanding last season, scoring 19 goals and providing 18 assists across 49 appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ side. He also played a key role in Celtic's recent Scottish Premiership opener, assisting in their 4-0 victory against Kilmarnock.

Contractual Situation and Transfer Contingencies

The 23-year-old midfielder is contracted with Celtic until 2027, which gives the club leverage in negotiations. Previously, the club rejected an offer of £20 million from Atletico Madrid back in January, highlighting their determination to retain O'Riley unless a significantly high bid is made.

Brendan Rodgers' Standpoint on O'Riley's Value

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has emphasized that O'Riley will not leave the club without the right evaluation. He stated, "There are obviously bids that will come in for Matt O'Riley, but I repeat, there is no need for us to sell and we don't want to sell. If there's an offer that comes in that fits the valuation of the player, then that's a different matter."

Transfer Market Timeline

The summer transfer window for 2024 officially closes on August 30 at 11 PM UK time for the Premier League and 11:30 PM in Scotland. This year, the Premier League has coordinated the deadline day with other major European leagues, a decision made following discussions with leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France.

Conclusion

As interest in Matt O'Riley continues to grow, it will be interesting to see whether Atalanta's persistence pays off or if Celtic's resolve to retain their star midfielder will prevail. As the transfer window approaches its close, fans will be keeping a close eye on the developments surrounding O'Riley’s future.

For further insights on player transfers, check out our Transfer News section. You can also read more on BBC Sport for up-to-date sports news and transfer rumors.