Galatasaray linked with Deadline Day bid for Matt O’Riley

Galatasaray are reported to be considering a 15m euros offer for Matt O’Riley.

The Turkish transfer window closes at midnight tonight but there seems virtually no chance of Celtic sitting down for negotiations to lose a key player.

At other clubs the prospect of picking up around £13.5m outside of the transfer window would be worth considering but the timing and the suggested fee won’t make any impact on the plans of Brendan Rodgers.

While the form of many Celtic players is barely recognisable from last season O’Riley has upped his game, regularly scoring goals to add to the supply of assists as he dominates in midfield alongside Callum McGregor.

The Turkish media like to deal in transfer speculation, last night Haber Mayden reported:

With only 2 days left before the transfer window closes, a surprise name was added to Galatasaray’s transfer list. Coach Okan Buruk and his scout team wanted very much to add Matt O’Riley, who played for Celtic, to the team; He conveyed to the management that even if not this season, an offer should be made to the Danish player at the end of the season.

Celtic’s star player, who satisfied the management with his qualities of both a scorer and a playmaker, has become one of the names to be tried to bring to the team as soon as possible.

O’Riley, whose current market value is around 13 million euros, is on his way to becoming one of the key figures of Celtic. The 23-year-old midfielder, who has attracted Premier League teams with his performance this season, is considered to be an ideal name for Galatasaray. 

Galatasaray management, who is expected to try to add the star player to the team today and Friday; O’Riley has to spend a high fee for his transfer. The management, which managed to solve the budget issue after the Boey transfer, may consider a fee of around 15 million euros for O’Riley.

Despite signing a contract extension in September it seems unlikely that O’Riley will start next season as a Celtic player.

The story above illustrates how highly rated he is but if Atletico Madrid follow up on their January interest with another offer in the summer the Danish midfielder could be on the move to the Spanish capital.

Galatasaray are level on points with Feberbahce at the top of the Turkish League and have a Europa League last 32 tie against Sparta Prague coming up.