Celtic should still have their star player available for at least another two weeks, assuming La Gazzetta dello Sport’s transfer timeline is accurate.
The future of the 2023/24 Celtic Player of the Year has been a major talking point throughout the close season. Despite the ongoing speculation, the Danish international showed little sign of being unsettled. He played a crucial role in helping Celtic achieve a hat-trick of victories during their US tour.
Manager Brendan Rodgers spoke on Friday, praising the midfielder as “an ultimate professional.”
Rodgers emphasized that the ongoing speculation about the player’s future has not impacted his decision to keep selecting him for matches.
He reaffirmed his confidence in the player’s dedication and performance, stating that the ongoing speculation has not altered his trust in the midfielder’s crucial role and contributions to the team.
The main challenge for Atalanta, or any club trying to sign O’Riley away from Glasgow, is Celtic’s high valuation of the player. This valuation has created a substantial gap between the two clubs, making it difficult for negotiations to progress smoothly.
Atalanta’s most recent offer reportedly included €17 million for the transfer fee, with an additional €3 million available in bonuses. The bonuses are likely contingent on various conditions, such as performance targets or other milestones that could increase the total value of the deal.
However, Celtic has remained firm and is unwilling to lower their asking price.
O’Riley has attracted attention from a number of European clubs this summer. Among those showing interest are prominent teams such as Juventus, a major force in Italian football, and Southampton, a well-regarded club in the English Premier League.
However, none of these clubs have matched the Scottish Premiership‘s asking price of approximately €25 million.
Atalanta seems especially determined to sign the 23-year-old and is hopeful about coming to an agreement with Celtic on the transfer fee.
After their most recent offer, Atalanta is getting ready to make a higher bid. They want to finalize everything before the UEFA Super Cup, which is on Wednesday, August 14.
Atalanta, who won the Europa League, will face Champions League holders Real Madrid at the National Stadium in Warsaw. They want to keep their star player, Teun Koopmeiners, for this important match.
Koopmeiners is expected to transfer to Juventus, which would enable Atalanta to fully concentrate on pursuing O’Riley.
This change would allow them to dedicate all their resources and efforts to securing the talented midfielder’s transfer.
Similar to Koopmeiners, O’Riley’s ability to play multiple positions has caught the eye of Atalanta’s head coach, Gian Piero Gasperini. His versatility on the field allows him to adapt to different roles and tactics, which is precisely what Gasperini is looking for in a player to strengthen his squad.
Rodgers’ Clear Stance on the Interest
That said, Rodgers made his stance very clear a few days ago when he addressed the interest.
“Sometimes a value will come in that’s a lot less,” the Celtic boss explained. “I’ve worked in the Premier League; I understand the levels there and the players’ value. No player will leave unless it’s for the right valuation. At this point in time, there’s been no team that’s been anywhere near it.”
“Of the various names that Atalanta continues to monitor, that of Matt O’Riley remains the hottest. The Dane from Celtic Glasgow has all the characteristics that can compose the ideal identikit for the club’s needs.” The report from Italy also noted.
“He is young and very ambitious, physically strong, already has a decent curriculum, is a very versatile midfielder, and has a good relationship – or so it seems – with goals and also assists.”
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