Atletico Madrid eye loan move for Celtic’s Matt O’Riley and are prepared to make permanent £20m move this summer… but face competition from Premier League rivals this month
- Atletico Madrid are keen on young Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley
- The Spaniards will face competition from a large number of Premier League teams this month
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Atletico Madrid are willing to spend £20 million to sign Matt O’Riley from Celtic this summer.
Crippled by Financial Fair Play considerations, the Spanish giants want to sign the Parkhead midfielder on loan this month with an obligation to buy in the summer.
However, Mail Sport understands that English Premier League teams are preparing to spark a bidding war for the Denmark international in the final week of the competition.
Although 23-year-old O’Riley is flattered by Diego Simeone’s interest, he will not push for a move.
And with little time left to secure a replacement before the end of January, Celtic have no desire to lose the man who has been their strongest player this season.
Following a £1.5million signing from MK Dons in January 2022, O’Riley recently signed a new four-year contract – and the Scottish champions have no financial need to sell.
With the title race likely on the line, manager Brendan Rodgers sees him as an important member of his squad.
Surprisingly, Spanish leaders Girona, along with Inter Milan, are also monitoring the Danish international.
Atletico manager Simeone has already committed £23 million to spend on Royal Antwerp teenage sensation Arthur Vermeeren.
Goalkeeper Horatiu Moldovan recently joined from Rapid Bucharest, while Juventus striker Moise Kean has been strongly linked.
Despite this, Simeone is still hoping to land O’Riley after watching the player up close in the Champions League this season.
Celtic are also planning to reject any bid from England for winger Liel Abada.
The Israeli international winger has come under pressure from his home country over the pro-Palestinian stance of parts of the Celtic support.
Southampton, West Brom Albion and Watford are interested in a six-month loan to give the player time to assess his situation in the summer. Clubs from France and Germany are also interested.