By Betsefy
Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly among a number of clubs who are set to battle for the signature of Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley.
The 21-year-old has impressed for the Hoops since joining the club from League One outfit MK Dons for just £1.5m in January, and he has established himself as a first-team regular under head coach Ange Postecoglou.
O’Riley, who helped Celtic win the Scottish Premiership title last term, has contributed to four goals and five assists in 25 appearances for the Glaswegian giants across all competitions, including three assists in five league matches this season.
The 6ft 2in midfielder is under contract at Parkhead until the summer of 2026, but his performances are believed to have caught the eye of several top clubs across Europe.
According to ESPN, Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund are all keeping tabs on O’Riley, while scouts from Wolfsburg and Lille have also been monitoring the midfielder.
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A separate report from the Manchester Evening News, meanwhile, suggests that United currently have no plans to make an immediate approach for the former Fulham youngster and intend to continue monitoring his progress in Glasgow.
The Red Devils recently confirmed the arrival of midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid, while they are currently prioritising the signing of attacker Antony from Ajax in a deal worth around £85m.
As for Arsenal and Liverpool, it is thought that both clubs remain active in the transfer market, with the latter particularly keen to bolster their options in centre-midfield.
Jurgen Klopp confirmed to reporters last week that the Reds are exploring the possibility of recruiting a new midfielder late in the window, with midfield quartet Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all on the treatment table at present.
Despite interest from a host of top clubs competing in European competition, ESPN adds that Newcastle United and Leicester City are in fact the two ‘most likely’ clubs who could tempt O’Riley to the Premier League.
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Eddie Howe is believed to be on the lookout for a new midfielder before Thursday’s transfer deadline, with Jonjo Shelvey set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Leicester – who are managed by former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers – are yet to sign an outfield player this summer due to their financial predicament, although that could soon change with Wesley Fofana on the verge of joining Chelsea in a deal worth in excess of £70m.
Postecoglou is understood to have no interest in selling O’Riley this summer, although ESPN suggests that a bid between £15m and £20m could tempt Celtic to cash in before the September 1 deadline.
Kieran Tierney is currently the Hoops’ club-record sale, after the left-back joined Arsenal in the summer of 2019 for around £25m.
O’Riley, who was born is Hounslow but is a Denmark Under-21 international, played for just over an hour and provided two assists in Celtic’s emphatic 9-0 away victory against Dundee United on Sunday.
