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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Atalanta 'preparing' fifth offer for Celtic star Matt O'Riley

Celtic are preparing to field a fifth bid from Atalanta for Matt O'Riley, according to a report.

Sky Italy says that the Serie A side is ready to come back in for the Denmark international, having failed with their latest bid of £20m on Saturday evening.

Brighton remains in talks with the Scottish Premiership champions over a potential deal for the 23-year-old. Chelsea are also believed to be keeping tabs on the player who scored 19 goals and made 18 assists in 49 appearances for the Hoops last term.

O'Riley is contracted until 2027, meaning Celtic are under no pressure to sell their star player this summer.


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It's believed that Parkhead chiefs are seeking the same kind of money that saw Jota leaving Glasgow to head to the Middle East. Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad paid in the region of £25m.

Brendan Rodgers admitted following his side's victory against Hibs that if O'Riley is sold, he's unsure whether he'll be able to replace him or not.

He also said that any 'big money' brought in for O'Riley would not be spent on one player.

"I don't think we can replace like for like, he's had three years growing into the player that he is now," the Northern Irishman explained on BBC. "If he did leave, to get someone like that straight away is very, very difficult.

"That's why if he did go it would be for big money and obviously we won't be spending that straight on one player.

"I'm not really overthinking it. He's a talented, gifted player who I love working with. He enjoys his time at Celtic and we'll just see day by day.

"His attitude is first class and he knows that I trust him 100 percent."

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