Atalanta are still currently in a fierce battle to secure the signing of Celtic's standout player, Matt O'Riley.
The Serie A outfit are expecting to lose Teun Koopmeiners to Juventus this week and have identified the Hoops' talented midfielder, who has been making waves in the Scottish Premiership and beyond since arriving from MK Dons in 2022, as their preferred replacement.
O'Riley's impressive performances have caught the attention of several other clubs, but Atalanta seem determined to make him a key part of their plans and will hand him a five-year deal according to reports in Italy.
It was thought the pathway had been cleared for the transfer to progress to the advance stage after Southampton pulled out the race, however it appears fellow English Premier League side, Brighton, who signed Brajan Gruda from FSV Mainz on Wednesday, are still in discussions with O'Riley's representatives too.
Celtic are believed to have earmarked 20-year-old Augsburg star Arne Engles if O'Riley does seal a transfer exit. The reigning Scottish champions are holding out to receive a fee in excess of £25million before they can try prize £9m-rated Engles away from the German Bundesliga.
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In other football news, Kylian Mbappé marked his competitive debut for Real Madrid with a goal, helping the team secure a 2-0 victory over O’Riley’s suitors, Atalanta, in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup held in Warsaw.
The French superstar, who joined Real Madrid on a free transfer after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired in June, scored following a brilliant assist from Jude Bellingham.
This match came after Real triumphed over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final just a few months earlier, and their win against Atalanta at the Narodowy Stadium marked an impressive sixth Super Cup title.
The first half of the match was tightly contested, with both teams coming close to scoring.
Atalanta had a chance when Eder Militao's attempted clearance from a Marten de Roon cross hit the crossbar, while Rodrygo nearly put Real ahead with a shot that also struck the woodwork.
In the second half, Atalanta's Mario Pašalić saw his header brilliantly saved by Thibaut Courtois, keeping the score level.
Real Madrid finally broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when Vinícius Júnior set up Federico Valverde for a straightforward finish.
Shortly after, Atalanta's goalkeeper Juan Musso made crucial saves to deny both Vinícius and Bellingham as Real began to assert their dominance.
Mbappé then sealed the victory in the 68th minute, finishing off a well-placed pass from Bellingham, allowing Real Madrid to comfortably manage the remainder of the match and lift the trophy.
