Leeds United dealt further blow in Matt O'Riley transfer pursuit | OneFootball

Leeds United's chances of signing Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley have become even slimmer, as Italian side AS Roma have joined the ever-growing number of clubs interested in signing him this summer.

A summer of shrewd moves is going to be necessary for Leeds. Their failed attempt to return to the top flight of English football at the first time of asking has left them in dire straits.

Because of the squad that they still have - one that features Crysencio Summerville (Championship Player of the Season 23/24), Archie Gray, Wilfried Gnonto, Georginio Rutter and others - and the points that they amassed in the previous campaign, there should still be a bit of confidence in their chances of going up next season.

Some of those aforementioned top talents may need to depart though, and United have been handed another transfer-related blow as the competition for O'Riley, one of their longstanding targets, has just increased.

Leeds United handed further Matt O'Riley transfer blow

The Dane has been someone that has been on the club's watchlist since last summer. GIVEMESPORT reported that they had made a £10 million offer to the Scottish giants for O'Riley last summer, but they weren't able to land him.

They more recently said that Leeds could make another attempt to bring the 23-year-old to Elland Road.

The club's financial limitations, as a result of them not winning promotion to the Premier League in the 2023/24 campaign, would have made a deal for O'Riley much harder to do. They are more than likely going to have to sell some of their best assets in order to comply with the EFL's financial rules.

Whether the finances would be there to get a deal done is one thing; whether they would be able to convince him to join them over the litany of other teams that are interested is another.

AS Roma are the latest team to be linked with the midfielder. Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas has claimed that they have joined the list of sides who like the Celtic maestro - they will need to move on an asset themselves before they are able to launch a move for O'Riley though.

Atlético Madrid, who reportedly had a bid for him rejected in the winter transfer window, are still keen on the 23-year-old, while one of the German clubs who qualified for the Champions League, and two Premier League sides, are also interested in him, as per Sky Sports.

GIVEMESPORT have said Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford are two top flight teams who like O'Riley, and also revealed that Celtic would be tempted to sell him if a big offer comes in.

Early 2024/25 season indications don't look good for Leeds United

Losing a play-off final is probably one of the worst experiences a fan and club can have. All that work, but what was it for?

A saving grace in this situation can often be if the situation around the club is still indicative of one that is moving in an upward direction. That argument can be made for Leeds, but the fear of a plateau in the Championship is strong.

The work that they are going to have to do to make sure that they don't breach spending rules is going to hinder their chances of getting players like O'Riley, which, in turn, will negatively affect the likelihood of them getting promoted.

There's not a lot that is going for them right now. Being kicked while they are down is a real possibility in this window, both on the incoming and outgoing fronts. Their struggles in the window could be foreshadowing what is to come in the next campaign for the Whites.