Matt O’Riley contract news emerges after £10m Leeds United transfer push for Celtic midfielder – Sky Sports
Celtic are “expected” to offer Matt O’Riley a new contract after Leeds United attempted to sign him for £10million during the window, according to Anthony Joseph.
The Sky Sports journalist reported via Twitter on 6 September that the Scottish champions are set to put “improved terms and an extension on his contract” on the table for the Danish midfielder.
The Whites had pushed to bring him to Elland Road before the deadline but the Hoops rejected the bid and “now hope to tie him up” during the international break.
Daniel Farke signed Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea, Ilia Gruev from Werder Bremen, and O’Riley’s former Old Firm rival Glen Kamara from Rangers to restock his midfield, but was still going after the Parkhead man on deadline day [Sky Sports, 1 September].
Shutting the door
Clearly Farke was very interested in the 22-year-old so it looks like Brendan Rodgers is attempting to head off a January return to the same deal.
The Leeds United midfield is probably covered now without the Celtic man but with Darko Gyabi potentially needing a loan move it would be no surprise to see the club look to bring another option in during the winter window.
If O’Riley signs an extension it will likely price him out of a move to Elland Road but until he commits he may remain in Farke’s plans.
At the end of a chaotic summer for Leeds United the recruitment department ultimately did a pretty good job in the market to give Farke a squad he can at least challenge with.
It wasn’t perfect, but given the starting point that was probably impossible, and the late exit of Luis Sinisterra was certainly a disappointment.
But Joel Piroe came in at striker, Djed Spence looks good, and midfield was strengthened at the last, while Jaidon Anthony coming the other way from Bournemouth on deadline day was a silver lining.
Left-back was neglected once more though and the Whites couldn’t prize O’Riley out of Glasgow in the final hours, where it looks like the reaction is under way to prevent them being successful with a second attempt.
In other Leeds United news, a Whites player unexpectedly stayed at the club despite interest from La Liga this summer according to Phil Hay.