Southampton set to break Celtic’s transfer record with huge O’Riley bid

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The Celtic Star

·21 de julho de 2024

Southampton set to break Celtic’s transfer record with huge O’Riley bid

Southampton set to smash Celtic’s transfer record in pursuit of Matt O’Riley…

It’s been reported that recently promoted EPL side Southampton are preparing to bid big to land Matt O’Riley. No exact figure has been mentioned, but it’s likely to eclipse the £25 million we received for both Kieran Tierney and Jota.

Although I’d urge a note of caution as it was reported by Daily Record, but don’t be surprised if there is some substance to it as Matt is a player who’s signature is very high in demand.

Vídeos OneFootball

With sides such as Inter Milan, Juventus, Atalanta and Atletico Madrid also keen on Matt, it would be a bit of a surprise if he were to opt to go to the south coast of England.

But as far as the Celtic Board is concerned, cash is king, and this further demonstrates the crazy financial power that even the ‘smallest’ of English sides hold if they can outbid the European big guns.

If it were a straight choice between the sides I’m sure Matt would be heading to Italy or Spain for title challenges and European football and not mid table mediocrity at best or fighting relegation down south. But such is football, finance will often dictate where a player goes.

However Matt O’Riley is a smart guy, look at the way he opted not to sign a contract at Fulham, became a free agent and went to MK Dons with a small fee buy out clause that got him a big move to Celtic for just £1.5m. He has loved his time at our club and has had a platform to star in the Champions League and break into the Denmark side – with a change of manager the new guard will get their chance and O’Riley will be at the top of the list.

Matt O’Riley during a press conference at Celtic Park on September 5, 2022, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group F football match against Real Madrid. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Matt doesn’t appear to be the kind of player who will make the wrong choice this summer, and incidentally he may see another year at Celtic as a viable option to make the career move that he wants for himself.

If he does indeed go this summer, the club won’t be bothered where he ends up, just as long as the cash is in the bank, with a hefty sell-on clause to boot.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy