Celtic Rejects Fifth Atalanta Bid for Star Midfielder Matt O'Riley

Celtic Rejects Atalanta's Bid for Matt O'Riley

This week, Celtic has turned down a fifth offer from Atalanta for their talented midfielder, Matt O'Riley. The latest bid from the Serie A club was reported to be £21.5 million plus additional add-ons. O'Riley has become a hot property in the transfer market, with Atalanta having made several attempts to secure his services over the past month.

Previous Bids Declined

O'Riley has caught the attention of multiple clubs, with Atalanta's previous offers of £14 million, £14.3 million, £15 million, and £20 million all met with rejection by Celtic. This ongoing negotiation reflects not only the club's desire to hold onto the 23-year-old but also their determination to get the right price for one of their key players.

Interest from Other Clubs

Aside from Atalanta, Brighton has also shown interest in O'Riley, alongside Chelsea and other high-profile clubs. His remarkable performance last season, including 19 goals and 18 assists in 49 appearances, has solidified his status as a standout player for Brendan Rodgers’ side. He also contributed to Celtic's solid 4-0 victory against Kilmarnock in their recent Scottish Premiership opener.

O'Riley's Contract Situation

Celtic is keen to retain O'Riley, who is under contract until 2027. The club had previously turned down a £20 million bid from Atletico Madrid back in January, underscoring their commitment to retaining top talent for the upcoming season.

Brendan Rodgers' Stance

Manager Brendan Rodgers has made it clear that there is no urgency to sell O'Riley, emphasizing that the valuation of the player must align with Celtic's expectations. In a recent interview with Sky Sports News, Rodgers 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."

Rodgers further elaborated that the challenge for potential buyers is often to recognize the player's value over the league in which he plays. He added:

"What's important for me is if a player does leave here, they pay the value for the player and that isn't something that always happens. No player will leave here unless it's for the right valuation and at this moment in time there's been no team that's been anywhere near that."

The Future for O'Riley

The next few weeks could be crucial in determining whether Atalanta or any other club succeeds in securing O'Riley’s signature. With his remarkable talent and contribution to the team, it's evident that O'Riley is an asset Celtic will fight to keep.

Conclusion

As the transfer window progresses, all eyes will be on both O'Riley and Celtic as they navigate the challenges posed by rising transfer bids. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how this situation unfolds and whether Celtic can hold onto yet another key player amidst increasing interest from abroad.