Russell Martin wants to form a reunion at Southampton with one of his former players that has also been linked with a move to Leeds United ahead of the upcoming summer window.
It comes after Southampton beat Leeds in the play-off final at Wembley last month to secure an instant return to the Premier League and succumb Daniel Farke’s men to another season in The Championship.
If promoted, Leeds were being linked with another move for a player The Whites bid £10m to sign last summer. Celtic’s Matt O’Riley has been superb north of the border, winning Celtic’s Player of the Season.
The Denmark star proved crucial in helping Brendan Rodgers’ side win a league and cup double, their dominance over Rangers strengthened. But as his such, his value has sky-rocketed to a huge £50m fee.
Two of the Premier League’s top-six sides are supposedly in talks for O’Riley and any chance Leeds had of targeting O’Riley ended after the play-off final. But Southampton now want to land the Celtic playmaker.
Southampton want to sign Leeds United target Matt O’Riley
Martin will want to bolster his side with some signings before the start of the Premier League campaign, and O’Riley would certainly do that. The Saints gaffer worked with O’Riley during his time at MK Dons.
The Sun’s Alan Nixon claims on his Patreon channel that Martin would love O’Riley, but his £50m price tag is likely to put an end to any interest or chance the Saints have of luring O’Riley south in the summer.
But as the summer goes on, it might be that Celtic decide to bring down their asking price if no club is willing to pay £50m for O’Riley. That may hand Southampton a glimmer of hope, but still none for Leeds.
Leeds missed a glorious opportunity at the start of the summer
The need for a no.10 at Elland Road remains despite the form of Georginio Rutter in that position of late. Leeds lack a natural player in that role, despite their attempts to bring in O’Riley of Nadiem Amiri.
Had Leeds upped their bid last summer for O’Riley, it might have got them over the line. A fee of £15m would have been 10 times what Celtic paid MK Dons to lure him to Parkhead, under Ange Postecoglou.
It might have just convinced Celtic to sell to Leeds and 12 months ago, O’Riley might have been tempted to join Leeds. Now, he won’t be convinced by a move to Southampton even if Saints could afford him.