Celtic will demand at least £20m for midfielder Matt O’Riley, according to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph.

Sky published a report last week that claimed the Hoops would demand a “record fee” for the Denmark international, amid interest from Inter Milan but, speaking to The Celtic Exchange podcast, Joseph said the bidding may start slightly lower than that:

“Celtic is in a very good position regarding Matt O’Riley. He’s just signed a new contract, a bumper contract at that. Celtic rejected £10 million from Leeds United in the last couple of days of the transfer window and that sort of sparked Celtic wanting to get him down on improved terms.

“I mean when Leeds were coming in with £10 million bids the thought process was, certainly from the conversations I had, I don’t think Celtic would have entertained anything under £15 million. But even £15 million probably wouldn’t have done it. It would have had to be around £20 million to open that conversation, I think anyway.”

“And with a new contract that’s got to be the case again. The fact he signed a new contract I would reckon Celtic wouldn’t open the conversation until unless there was £20 million maybe even up to £25 million.”

Who is likely to table a bid for O’Riley in January?

As mentioned already, Serie A leaders Inter are known to hold a serious interest in the 23-year-old, but they may only offer an initial loan deal with a mandatory option to buy next summer. It remains to be seen whether such an arrangement would be acceptable to Celtic.

It is also believed that West Ham, Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven have been keeping a close eye on O’Riley‘s performances in recent months.

Other teams could yet get involved in the race for the Celtic star

A whole host of English Premier League clubs have been linked with O’Riley over the past year or so. In addition to West Ham and Aston Villa, the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and Crytal Palace have reportedly scouted the Dane.

For now, though, it appears Inter are the most likely to step up their interest with a formal bid for the midfielder next month.