Fabrizio Romano reporting that Atalanta looking at an O’Riley alternative, yeah right | OneFootball

Don’t forget that Celtic has the option to keep Matt O’Riley. There is no immediate need to sell, especially at a discounted rate to bargain hunting, low-balling Atalanta who are now, rather hilariously, looking at an alternative midfielder…

The Celtic Board should show some ambition and keep him for another season. And by next summer his value will have increased so it makes perfect sense!

Matt O’Riley has been the subject of numerous transfer interest most notably from Italian side Atalanta BC who have failed on no less than five occasions (or is it six) to tempt the club to part with their most valuable asset. Last night Fabrizio Romano was reporting that they are considering an alternative player, clearly a strategy to force Celtic’s hand in providing them with a discounted deal.

Atalanta are now apparently asking for info on Lazar Samardzić as an alternative to Matt O’Riley. Samardzić is 22 years old and plays for Serie A club Udinese. ‘Oh look,’ the Celtic Board will say,’ unless we accept their latest bid Atalanta are going to sign Samardzić instead’. Aye right. On ye go then!

Romano writes in his morning briefing:

Matt McGlone was right yesterday when he said that the Italian side is now beyond tedious in their low-ball attempts to sign Matt O’Riley on the cheap.

I thought it was forgone conclusion that Matt would be away this summer, but with every ticking moment I’m optimistic that he could indeed stay for just a wee while yet.

Yes the club may receive the valuation they are looking for, but do we really need to sell? Firstly Matt is under contract until 2027, and more important he’s happy where he is at the moment. And another good season from him in the Champions League would see his valuation soar.

Celtic also don’t need the money as they’ve reminded us on so many occasions with their recent update to the London Stock Exchange. This year’s Champions League income alone has made us much more secure financially, so why the rush to sell our most prized asset?

READ THIS…Why Luke McCowan would be a sensible signing for Celtic

Yes I get that our landscape requires us to make us much money as we can, but we’ve got to think about value of keeping Matt for results on the park and not just off it. But there is a scenario that can suit both ideologies.

For instance if Matt stays another year he could gain more experience at Champions League level and boost his future prospects, while the club could benefit with an increased valuation of the player. Everyone’s a winner.

It’s unlikely that it will happen, but it’s a possibility all the same. If Celtic sell Matt to Atalanta then they must get their valuation or it sends a message to other clubs further down the road that Celtic will allow their price to be chipped, and Atalanta showed that it’s possible.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Meanwhile Adam Idah was speaking to the Celtic fan media at Celtic Park yesterday afternoon, here’s everything that was said…

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