Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley has admitted that he was being pursued by Leicester and Newcastle during the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old has also been linked with moves to Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, and while the player insists he is happy at Parkhead, fans on Twitter don’t expect him to stay at the club very long:
Gone by next summer..
— Leonard (@Leonard7676) September 13, 2022
+£25 million? Aye!
— K. the Bhoy 💘 (@kthebhoyx) September 13, 2022
So he’s basically saying that he takes no heed of speculation but if an offer came in and presumably was accepted, he’d have to consider it? Seems fair to me.
— Liam (@LiamBronaldo) September 14, 2022
It’s not something to look that deep into, he’s not going to say forever because it’s just not a natural thing to say.
— BCFCA (@BCFCA3) September 13, 2022
Still gone in the summer if he keeps performing.
Hopefully it’s summer.— Mister C (@BlunderIntoMate) September 13, 2022
Its not him that has to decide. Newcastle offer stupid money the club will take it and he’s gone. Nothing to do with him. Simples.
— PhutbolPhan (@aaammmaaaggg) September 13, 2022
Much will depend on whether English Premier League sides are willing to meet Celtic’s asking price. The Scottish champions were thought to be looking for around £15m to £20m in the summer but that may increase if he has an impressive season, both domestically and in Europe.
The Hoops did fantastically well to bring in the Danish Under 21 international for just £1.5m last January and they will make a huge profit if and when he leaves Glasgow.
If O’Riley’s recent comments are anything to go by, it doesn’t look like he will force through a move away from Celtic Park which suggests he may at least stay until the end of the season.