Southampton, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Leicester City are all vying to secure the services of Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, with Leicester currently leading the charge, per TuttoSport.
O’Riley has emerged as a standout in the Scottish Premiership in recent years, attracting interest from English clubs. Southampton, Leicester, and Brighton are eager to bring him to the Premier League, while Italian clubs are also monitoring his situation.
Southampton manager Russell Martin aims to bolster his squad to compete fiercely and avoid relegation battles, especially with newly promoted teams like Luton Town, Sheffield United, and Burnley entering the fray next season. This necessitates significant strengthening for clubs like Leicester, Southampton, and Ipswich Town.
According to TuttoSport, Leicester appear to be frontrunners in the race for O’Riley, having lost Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea earlier in the summer. Brighton, Atalanta, Southampton, and Atletico Madrid are also interested in the Danish midfielder.
Sky Sports reports that Celtic rejected Atalanta’s initial bid for O’Riley and anticipate a renewed offer from the Italian club. Celtic may demand around £50m to part with O’Riley during the current transfer window.
Securing a player of O’Riley’s caliber would significantly enhance Southampton’s midfield under Russell Martin, offering both goal-scoring prowess and creative flair. Convincing him to join St Mary’s Stadium remains a challenge for Martin’s recruitment team.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers highly values O’Riley’s consistent performances, describing him as “phenomenal” and a crucial asset to the team’s dynamics.
