BRENDAN RODGERS is bracing himself for a megabid for Matt O’Riley before the midnight transfer deadline on Thursday.
Celtic have just knocked back an undisclosed offer from Bologna for the smooth playmaker who was snapped up for a bargain £1.5million from English third-tier club MK Dons in January 2022.
The champions were quick to kick out the bid from the Serie A club – but realise there is interest elsewhere in the 22-year-old Londoner, according to a report in The Scottish Sun.
HIGH FIVES…Matt O’Riley is congratulated by Cameron Carter-Vickers after his goal in the 4-2 win over Ross County at Parkhead. Kyogo Furuhashi joins in.
The Italian outfit have had success with recent recruits from the Premiership in Aaron Hickey, from Hearts, and Aberdeen’s Lewis Ferguson and they are tipped to come back with an improved offer for O’Riley, who is under contract at last season’s treble winners until June 2026.
The countdown to the transfer D-day will be interesting with other top-flight Italian teams plus Spanish clubs monitoring the player’s situation.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta eyed the skilful former Danish Under-21 international last season, but dropped interest when he got the chance to sign Jorginho from city rivals Chelsea in January and he splashed £10million for the 31-year-old Brazilian.
O’Riley scored a mere four goals last term, but has already claimed half that total this time around with strikes against Ross County and Aberdeen.
Rodgers will not welcome further interest in a player who has impressed him already since he returned to the Hoops in June.
