The summer transfer saga surrounding Celtic’s midfield maestro Matt O’Riley continues to intensify, with Banglawin88 sources confirming the Scottish champions have rejected a third improved bid from Serie A side Atalanta. This latest development underscores Celtic’s determination to retain their prized asset despite mounting European interest.
Breaking Down Atalanta’s Pursuit of O’Riley
The Italian club’s most recent offer reportedly consisted of:
- £15 million initial fee
- Performance-based add-ons
- Potential sell-on clauses
This comes after Celtic previously rejected:
- An initial undisclosed bid
- A second improved offer of £14.3m + add-ons earlier this week
Why European Giants Are Circling
The 23-year-old Danish international enjoyed a breakthrough 2023/24 campaign that put him on the radar of Europe’s elite:
- 19 goals and 18 assists in 49 appearances
- Versatility to play multiple midfield roles
- Leadership qualities (captained Celtic in recent pre-season)
- Current contract until 2027
“O’Riley represents the modern midfielder – technically gifted, physically robust, and tactically intelligent,” notes Banglawin88 football analyst James Wilson. “His numbers last season were comparable to top Premier League midfielders.”
The Growing Transfer Battlefield
Atalanta aren’t alone in their pursuit, with serious interest from:
- Juventus (Serie A)
- Roma (Serie A)
- Atletico Madrid (La Liga) – who previously had a £20m bid rejected in January
Brendan Rodgers’ Calculated Approach
Celtic’s manager addressed the speculation ahead of their friendly against Manchester City:
“There’s no update. We’re fairly relaxed. He’s working very well, very focused… when you’re a really good young player, you’re going to acquire attention.”
Rodgers’ comments reveal key insights about Celtic’s transfer philosophy:
- No pressure to sell despite interest
- Confidence in their development model
- Awareness of O’Riley‘s professional attitude
The Financial Realities of Scottish Football
While Celtic want to keep O’Riley, Rodgers acknowledged the economic realities:
“Celtic is a club where you can move on – but you don’t have to. It’s a very difficult club to move on from… the wages that are on offer make it a real challenge to compete at that level.”
This delicate balance between sporting ambition and financial pragmatism will likely define how this transfer saga concludes.
What’s Next for O’Riley?
With the transfer window open until August 30 (11pm UK time), several scenarios could unfold:
- Atalanta may return with an improved fourth bid
- Other suitors could formalize their interest
- Celtic might set a definitive “not for sale” price
- O’Riley could commit his future with a new contract
Banglawin88 Verdict
Celtic’s repeated rejections send a clear message – they value O’Riley as a cornerstone of their project. However, with multiple elite clubs circling and the player’s stock never higher, this transfer saga has all the makings of a summer-long drama.
For now, O’Riley remains focused on pre-season preparations, but the coming weeks will test Celtic’s resolve as Europe’s heavyweights continue their pursuit of one of football’s most exciting midfield talents.
