BRENDAN RODGERS has reassured the Celtic fans Matt O’Riley is going NOWHERE – unless the champions’ asking price is met.
The smooth midfield operator has been the subject of intense transfer speculation throughout the summer with Europa League winners Atalanta relentlessly pursuing the London-born Denmark international playmaker.
The Serie A side have reportedly fired in five offers for O’Riley – but none of them has hit the fee demanded by the Parkhead hierarchy with the figure of £25million mentioned as a starting point for genuine negotiations.
It looks as though the Italian outfit will now look elsewhere for their bargains.
CHEERLEADER…Matt O’Riley applauds the Celtic fans as his team-mates celebrate Nicolas Kuhn’s goal against Hibs at Parkhead yesterday. Picture courtesy Celtic TV.
Juventus, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Southampton, Brighton and Leicester City are other clubs linked with the 23-year-old maestro who still has three years to run on his contract.
Asked about the player’s immediate future, Rodgers, speaking to Premier Sports after his side’s 3-1 win over Hibs yesterday, admitted: “I don’t know is the honest answer. You see with him that he is an incredibly talented player.
“There is a value we have for him, and if that’s not met he will be here – it’s as simple as that.
“He is really happy here, but it has to be something that draws him away.
“I am not overthinking it. We all know the model here at Celtic – players will improve and they will get to a level that get beyond, not the club, but in terms of the financial salary.
“Until that comes, we continue to work with him.”
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