Chelsea enter race to sign Matt O’Riley from Celtic

Celtic star Matt O’Riley has been linked with a move to Premier League outfit Chelsea, with numerous other Premier league clubs joining Southampton in the market for the Celtic midfielder.

Alan Nixon, who is known for having reliable contacts in English football, reports via Scottish Sun that the former Premier League champions have now got their eye on the midfielder a mere week after he scored the opening goal against them in their 4-1 loss to O’Riley’s side.

The Blues see him as a potential replacement for Conor Gallagher, who was recently banished from their first-team squad. Gallagher rejected a contract offer from Chelsea as he weighs up a transfer to another club. Atletico Madrid are reportedly interested in his services alongside Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs side, and if either team were to make a move for the 24-year-old, there is a chance that Chelsea would come in with a bid for O’Riley.

If he were to leave, it would likely be for the asking price of £25m, as Brendan Rodgers has stated that so far, no bid has come close to his valuation of the Dane.

Other teams interested in O’Riley include Brighton, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Atalanta and Atletico Madrid.

The Saints have already had a £14m bid rejected this summer but reports say that they are likely to come back with another.

Atalanta “remain confident” that they can get a deal done despite having two bids rejected thus far.

The Irishman was booed onto the park when he came off the bench during his side’s 3-1 defeat to St Pauli, but the Norwich manager insists that he still fits into his plans.

Our last bid, worth over £4m, was swiftly rejected by the English Championship side.

Jessica Elliott