Celtic are reported to have turned down an offer for Matt O’Riley from Bologna.
No fee is mentioned in the report but it seems like last season’s success has put most of Ange Postecoglou’s squad in the shop window.
Celtic paid MK Dons a fee of £1.5m in January 2022 with the midfielder going straight into the first team, playing a significant role straight away as the hoops went to the top of the table.
Last season the goals dried up to an extent for O’Riley but he did add three more medals, Champions League and international experience at u-21 level to his CV.
The Sun reports:
CELTIC have booted out a bid from Bologna for Matt O’Riley.
The Hoops midfielder is under contract at Parkhead until 2026 — but SunSport understands that hasn’t put off the Serie A side.
Sources in the Italian city claim they have slapped in an offer for O’Riley in recent days but it was quickly dismissed by Celts chiefs.
Bologna — bossed by ex-Barcelona ace Thiago Motta — are now deciding whether to return to the table with a higher figure.
They have a track record of taking prized assets from Scotland after landing Aaron Hickey and Lewis Ferguson in the past.
But Bologna are also aware they aren’t the only side weighing up a swoop for former Fulham kid O’Riley, 22.
Bologna seem to be very strong scouting Scottish football with a very healthy profit made on Hickey and Ferguson believed to be attracting the attention of bigger clubs in Serie A.
With regular speculation about Reo Hatate considering a move elsewhere it is clear that Celtic’s Recruitment is working well but has to keep the momentum going as the signings of January 2022 become the signing targets of summer 2023.