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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Robbie Hanratty

Europa League winners submit first bid for Celtic favourite Matt O'Riley

Matt O'Riley was always going to be a man in demand this summer following a season which saw him swoop multiple prizes at Celtic's Player of the Year awards.

That was why it was such a shock when the midfielder was snubbed by Denmark for their Euro 2024 squad in June. 

Nonetheless, the suitors are still queuing up for the 23-year-old, who scored in Celtic's 6-4 friendly win over Queen's Park on Wednesday.

Reports claim that Europa League holders, Atalanta, have now submitted an official proposal to sign the Dane. The Serie A outfit are prepared to lose Teun Koopmeiners, who is being chased by Juventus, and O'Riley could be a ready-made replacement to help spearhead their return to the Champions League. 


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However, there is intense competition to land the Dane's services - with English Premier League clubs also believed to be circling.

Southampton are thought to have tabled a £20million offer, but it could take a more lucrative bid for Brendan Rodgers to allow his star man to depart Celtic Park. 

O'Riley is under contract at the Scottish Premiership champions until 2027.

After Celtic rejected Atletico Madrid's attempts to lure O'Riley away from the United Kingdom last January, the player admitted the speculation around his future did have an effect on him. 

“If I’m being completely honest, the first two or three games after the transfer window mentally it was a slight challenge because I felt somewhat of added pressure on my shoulders, just slightly," he said.

"But then I realised I didn’t really know why I was putting extra pressure on myself. I didn’t really need to change anything. I kind of came away from that and focused on what I bring to the team. It clicked back into place again. Each season, regardless of it going well it will still pose a different challenge."

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