Leeds United have been linked with making a move for a Danish playmaker if Daniel Farke can get the club promoted this summer, but now his club have set an outrageous asking price.
Celtic cruised to the Scottish Premiership title for the 12th time in 13 years this weekend and one player played a vital role throughout the campaign laying on an enormous 37 goal involvements from midfield.
It promised to be a tricky season for Celtic with Brendan Rodgers returning to the club and the squad requiring a major overhaul. But, Rodgers has done it despite facing an improving Rangers in 2023-24.
Now, Matt O’Riley’s future is due to come under the microscope. The left-footed playmaker was the subject of a £10m bid from Leeds last summer, but Celtic rejected it and you can now understand why.
Leeds were said to be preparing a move for O’Riley if promoted, with the “wonderful” star attracting plenty of interest. Two of the Premier League’s top six sides are supposedly in talks to sign O’Riley.
Celtic have now slapped an asking price on O’Riley, according to the latest report from The Sun’s Alan Nixon on his Patreon channel this weekend.
Celtic want huge £50m asking price for Leeds target Matt O’Riley
Indeed, Celtic have shown their desire and perhaps ambition by requesting a near-ridiculous £50m for the Denmark star. Their desire to keep O’Riley will come as no surprise given he had a hand in 37 goals.
But, Celtic are renowned for buying cheap and selling to Premier League clubs. Virgil van Dijk, Victor Wanyama, Stuart Armstrong and plenty more over the years, but it seems Celtic are keen to keep O’Riley.
So, the chances of Leeds splashing the cash even if promoted on O’Riley seem unlikely. Nixon also says Brighton are interested in a move but even The Seagulls would surely be wary of paying so much for him.
What O’Riley has said about his future at Celtic this summer
The Celtic star is clearly aware of the interest in his services and the chances are he will be off this summer, even if clubs are against paying the £50m price tag. A compromise is likely to be reached.
What is interesting, is that the record sale from the Scottish Premiership is Kieran Tierney’s move to Arsenal. O’Riley has commented on his future and left the door ajar for a potential exit this summer.
“That’s a tough question. Yeah, it would be very difficult (to walk away from Celtic). I have said before. The club means a lot to me. One more game to focus on and I will take it from there,” O’Riley commented.