Leicester in prime position to get Celtic Ace

Leicester City have taken the lead in their pursuit of Celtic midfield sensation Matt O’Riley despite strong interest from Atalanta, Everton and Southampton, according to TEAMtalk. This potential acquisition could mark a significant milestone for both Leicester and the Scottish Premiership, with the transfer fee potentially setting a new record.

O’Riley’s rise to prominence

London-born Matt O’Riley honed his skills at Fulham’s academy before a spell at MK Dons led to his January 2022 move to Celtic for an initial £1.5m. This transfer has since proved to be a masterstroke as O’Riley has emerged as one of the standout performers in the Scottish Premiership. His versatility allows him to operate in various midfield roles, including the No. 6, no. 8 and no. 10.

The left-handed maestro recorded 19 goals and 18 assists in 49 appearances last season, playing a key role in Celtic’s league and cup double. Despite his impressive performances, O’Riley narrowly missed out on a place in Denmark’s Euro 2024 squad, a setback he hoped to remedy by securing a high-profile move this summer to boost his international prospects.

Leicester lead the charge

Sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk transfer correspondent Fraser Gillan that Leicester City are in a strong position to land O’Riley and are actively working to complete a deal with Celtic. “Leicester City are pushing to win the race for Celtic star Matt O’Riley amid rival interest from Atalanta, Everton and Southampton,” the report reads. This potential move highlights Leicester’s ambition to strengthen their squad and compete at the highest level.

Leicester hold a significant advantage over Atalanta, primarily due to O’Riley’s preference to test his skills in the Premier League. This interest from a top English club aligns perfectly with his career aspirations and his desire to become a key player for Denmark.

Potential transfer of records

The financial implications of this transfer are noteworthy. Celtic are seeking more than £25m for O’Riley, which would eclipse the current Scottish Premiership record shared by Kieran Tierney and Jota, who both left Celtic in £25m deals. If Leicester meet these requirements, it would not only reflect O’Riley’s value, but also set a new benchmark for the league.

“O’Riley’s potential transfer from Celtic to Leicester could also see the transfer record fall. TEAMtalk can reveal Celtic want more than £25million before letting their star man leave’, as the original article said. This figure underlines the high stakes involved and the significant investment Leicester are willing to make to secure his services.

Impact on Leicester’s squad

If the deal goes through, O’Riley is expected to replace Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who was previously on the verge of joining Brighton before Chelsea’s intervention saw him move for £30m . This move would not only strengthen Leicester’s midfield options, but also give their Premier League campaign a new boost.