Sport Nation 2Celtic is preparing for the possible departure of star midfielder Matt O’Riley as Brighton & Hove Albion intensifies their interest. The English Premier League club has initiated talks for a potential £25 million-plus deal to acquire the Danish international. Celtic, having already turned down a £20 million bid from Serie A club Atalanta, is determined not to let O’Riley go without securing a substantial transfer fee.
O’Riley, who has been a key player for Celtic, has expressed no immediate desire to leave but has long-term ambitions of playing in one of Europe’s top leagues. The interest in him has been widespread, with clubs from Italy, Spain, and Germany monitoring his progress. Despite this, Brighton, under the leadership of Fabian Hurzeler, has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to sign the 23-year-old, especially with just two weeks remaining in the transfer window.
Celtic has been preparing for a scenario where O’Riley departs and has identified several potential replacements. Augsburg’s 20-year-old Arne Engels is at the top of their list, and preliminary talks have already been held. Engels, who could command a fee of up to £10 million, is seen as a viable option to fill the void that O’Riley’s departure would create. This would not be the first significant investment Celtic has made this summer; they have already spent £8.5 million to bring Adam Idah back to Glasgow, with manager Brendan Rodgers emphasizing the need for quality over quantity in his squad.
In addition to potentially losing O’Riley, Celtic is also fending off interest in another key midfielder, Reo Hatate. The Japanese international has caught the eye of Leicester City, but Celtic is determined to keep him, especially as Hatate is focused on rebuilding his fitness after an injury-riddled last season. Like O’Riley, Hatate harbors ambitions of playing in England, but for now, his priority remains performing well for Celtic.
Meanwhile, Celtic’s American defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is looking to maintain the club’s strong start to the season. The USA international was instrumental in Celtic’s treble-winning campaign under former manager Ange Postecoglou and is eager to help the team continue their success under Rodgers. Celtic’s early-season form has been promising, with a convincing win against Hibs propelling them into the last eight of the Premier Sports Cup. Carter-Vickers, who missed part of last season due to injury, is focused on contributing to another successful campaign and adding more silverware to his collection.
Carter-Vickers is confident in the team’s ability to maintain their high standards throughout the season, emphasizing the importance of consistency. He believes that the team, which has been building on the foundations laid during pre-season, has the potential to improve as the season progresses. The defender also noted that the continuity under Rodgers, who is now in his second year with the squad, has been beneficial for the team’s development.
Rodgers himself has been bullish about Celtic’s prospects this season. Despite the potential upheaval in the squad with key players like O’Riley and Hatate being targeted by other clubs, Rodgers is focused on strengthening the team. He is looking to make further additions before the transfer window closes, with a focus on bringing in players who can make an immediate impact.
The speculation surrounding O’Riley’s future has been a major talking point in the Scottish football scene, with reports suggesting that Brighton’s bid could shatter the Scottish transfer record. However, Celtic is not expected to make any hasty decisions, as they weigh their options carefully. The club is aware that losing a player of O’Riley’s caliber would be a significant blow, but they are also prepared to reinvest any potential transfer fee into securing high-quality replacements.
As the transfer window enters its final stages, Celtic fans will be keeping a close eye on developments. The club’s activity in the market has been substantial, with the potential for more big moves before the deadline. Rodgers and the Celtic board are under pressure to ensure that the squad remains competitive, both domestically and in European competitions.
In the meantime, Celtic’s focus remains on their upcoming fixtures as they look to build on their strong start to the season. The team’s performances in the early part of the campaign have been encouraging, and there is optimism that they can continue to improve as the season goes on. The next few weeks will be crucial, not just in terms of securing results on the pitch, but also in shaping the squad for the challenges that lie ahead.
Celtic’s transfer dealings will be closely scrutinized, with the potential departure of O’Riley being the most significant storyline. If Brighton’s interest turns into a formal bid that meets Celtic’s valuation, it could set off a chain of events that significantly impacts the club’s plans for the season. However, with Rodgers at the helm and a proactive approach in the transfer market, Celtic is determined to emerge from this transfer window in a stronger position, ready to defend their titles and compete at the highest level.
Sport nation
Amina Umar