As you would likely expect at this time of year, Celtic’s prized asset last season has been heavily linked with a move away from the club.

Indeed, Matt O’Riley’s breakout season last campaign was one for the books, scoring 19 goals and contributing another 18 assists, a total of 37 goal contributions in all competitions. Though the majority of these happened domestically, O’Riley was Celtic’s standout performer in Europe, too, with three assists to his name against Lazio, Atletico Madrid and Feyenoord last year.

With good European performances comes potential suitors from around the globe, which proved to be the case when Champions League opponents Atletico came calling for the Denmark international’s services this January. Though this approach was rejected, this summer seems like a more likely time for the 23-year-old to depart the club.

In light of this, The Celtic Way discusses the options that the midfielder has, as the transfer vultures continue to swirl surrounding a potential move away from the club.

The Atalanta (and Juventus) links

The most consistently talked about destination this summer for O’Riley has been Italy, with the reigning Conference League winners Atalanta having lodged at least three bids thus far for Celtic’s number 33.

As it stands, the Bergamo club have not managed to submit a bid anywhere near Celtic’s asking price, with the latest offer standing at around £15 million plus add-ons. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are currently in the process of negotiating with Juventus over the sale of their star midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, which would free up both space and funds for O’Riley respectively. €45 million has been reported as the first bid submitted by the Turin side for the Dutch playmaker, with Atalanta reportedly holding out for a fee closer to €60 million for their asset.

Interestingly, Thiago Motta's Juventus have also been reported to be interested in Celtic’s midfielder, though not as much as their Serie A rivals. If O’Riley was to be keen on moving to Italy, then stylistically Atalanta would be an attractive fit, particularly under Gasperini. His keenness to press the opposition would subscribe to the style of play that the now-legendary manager elects to play at the club.

Out of all the links thus far, this seems to be the one that is most likely to transpire at the moment, though this is an everchanging development day by day.

A Russell Martin reunion at Southampton

From foreign interest to a familiar face closer to home, English Premier League newcomers Southampton have registered an interest in O’Riley, who are managed by his former MK Dons manager Russell Martin.

Martin – who played for Rangers at the end of his career – worked with Celtic’s star man before moving to Swansea in 2021. Like Atalanta, Southampton have seen at least one bid being batted away by Brendan Rodgers and the club, not meeting their valuation of the player. “Not even close”, in the manager’s words to Sky Sports yesterday. It would seem like the St Mary’s side will have to up their bid like their transfer rivals Atalanta to get a seat at the Celtic bidding table.

Perhaps the most interesting facet of this development was the rumour that Northern Ireland international Shea Charles could be a part of this deal, as well as a fee for the receiving club Celtic. A position that Rodgers seems to be keen to improve on, any possibility of the former Manchester City player being involved in this transaction have been largely rubbished, though Celtic are still keen on the 20-year-old.

If you factor in the influence of a manager, then perhaps Martin knows O’Riley better than most. After all, he was a mainstay in the MK Dons team that were praised in the lower leagues of English football three or so years ago. If this reunion is to be fully realised, then Southampton will have to up their transfer offer considerably before O’Riley and Celtic even consider parting ways with each other.

Even still, you would expect O’Riley’s ambitions to lie higher than a newly promoted side, regardless of who is at the helm.

Other interested parties

Two European giants have recently expressed their interest in O’Riley in the shape of Inter Milan and the aforementioned Atletico Madrid.

However, the likelihood of either team actively pursuing the midfielder are likely consigned to history, with both sides having either completed or in the process of signing midfield reinforcements. In the case of Inter, Davide Frattesi has made the move from Sassuolo to Milan, whilst Madrid are in talks with Chelsea and England’s Conor Gallagher.

Of course, things can change quickly, though it looks as if O’Riley’s destination will not be situated in Milan or Madrid – at least, for now.

What if he stays put?

With the way that the player is discussed in some sectors, you would assume that O’Riley is a certainty to move on to pastures new in the next month or so.

While that may well turn out to be the case, staying at Celtic could be the most attractive option for the player – at least, on the pitch. Yes, Atalanta – like his current club – have at least eight games to play in the revamped Champions League, but O’Riley has all of that in Scotland plus the acclimatisation and experience of playing for Celtic.

O’Riley is only 23-years-old. What harm can another year do at a club that value your qualities and give you a platform to succeed and be the ‘main man’? If these sides are interested now, then the chances are that they’ll be just as interested in a year’s time – or more so.

Regardless of what transpires between now and the end of the window, the club hold all of the cards thanks to an ingenious contract renewal back in September last year. Signed on the same day as his goal vs Motherwell in the 97th minute at Fir Park, this bit of business secured O’Riley until the summer of 2027, essentially increasing his value as a Celtic asset through contractual length and stability.

To put it quite simply, the club’s position could not be any stronger concerning O’Riley.