"Fantastic signing" - Pundit reacts as Leeds United plot move for Celtic star Matt O'Riley | OneFootball

Matt O’Riley is a transfer target for Leeds United this summer if the club gains promotion to the Premier League.

According to Give Me Sport, the Whites are set to reignite their interest in the Denmark international after their attempts to sign him last year went nowhere.

It was reported that the Yorkshire outfit had a bid worth up to £10 million rejected by Celtic, with the midfielder remaining at Parkhead instead.

An attempt from Atletico Madrid to sign the 23-year-old in January led to reports suggesting it could cost up to £25 million to prise the player from the Scottish giants.

O’Riley has earned a lot of praise for his performances in Scotland, with Brighton and Brentford also eyeing a move for the player this summer.

Carlton Palmer makes “fantastic” Matt O’Riley claim

Carlton Palmer believes that O’Riley would be a fantastic addition to the Leeds squad if they can gain promotion to the top flight.

The 58-year-old has expressed no concerns over the potential £25 million price tag placed on him by Celtic going into the summer.

“Leeds United are among several clubs chasing the signature of Celtic’s midfield player Matt O’Riley,” Palmer told Football League World.

“Leeds were linked with a summer move for O’Riley, making several bids for the player, believed to be around £10 million, that Celtic turned down.

“He’s attracting attention from home and abroad.

“Atletico Madrid apparently had a bid turned down in January of £10 million, and the likes of Brentford and Brighton are looking at him.

“Matt has had a fantastic time at Celtic, the 23-year-old is having a fantastic season with 26 goal contributions, he’s played in the Champions League and he’s also made his debut for his country.

“We’ll have to wait and see, this could be a fantastic signing for Leeds United if they get promoted to the Premier League, but I think it’s going to cost a lot of money.

“As I said, it’s being reported that £10 million was turned down by Celtic from Atletico Madrid, Brendan Rodgers has made it clear that he wants the player to stay.

“The player is playing in the Champions League and is doing well.

“So, to get him out of the football club, a price tag has been mooted of about £25 million, but at the age of 23 he’d be a very, very good signing for Leeds if they got promoted to the Premier League.

“He would be a fantastic signing if they could get him, but I’m sure Celtic will be keen to hang on to the player.”

Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League is far from guaranteed with the team only one point ahead of third place Ipswich Town with eight games to go.

Next up for Daniel Farke’s side is a clash away to Watford on 29 March.

O’Riley could be what Leeds need this summer

If Leeds gain promotion then they will need to sign one or two top quality first team players to Farke’s squad to prepare for life back in the top flight.

Someone like O’Riley could be a fantastic addition, as that extra bit of creativity from midfield is the biggest weakness in the side’s attack at the moment.

A £25 million price tag is the kind of premium Leeds will have to pay to add true first team quality to the side this summer, and O’Riley might be just the right person to spend that kind of money on.