Leeds United have cash to seal Matt O’Riley transfer from Celtic
Leeds United do have the cash to complete a last-gasp transfer for Celtic playmaker Matt O’Riley before the deadline, according to Tim Thornton.
The Sky Sports journalist told Give Me Sport on Friday (1 September) that Daniel Farke’s side do have the funds to complete a deal for the 22-year-old midfielder, despite their proposals so far not tempting the Scottish giants into selling.
Leeds have already added to their midfield in the last few days with both Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev joining the ranks at Elland Road, but remain interested in O’Riley, however, there are doubts over whether they could pry him away from Celtic Park.
Discussing the state of the transfer, Thornton told Give Me Sport: “I think that’s the situation with a lot of the players they’ve targeted, it’s whether they can get them out of the clubs, now that they’re not Premier League club anymore.
“So it makes it more difficult to get players, as he’d be leaving Celtic to come and play in the Championship, is that appealing for a player? Some might see that as a good thing, others won’t. So I think it just makes it more difficult.
“It’s easy to identify players, it’s sometimes more difficult to actually get them out of the clubs. I don’t think it will be an issue in terms of budget. I think Leeds could do the deal if they needed to.”
Wait and see
Like so many deadline deals this is one which really could go either way between now and the 11 pm deadline, with Leeds seemingly financially equipped to secure the services of O’Riley but unsure whether he would be keen on the move to Elland Road.
Now that Farke and those above him have ensured their midfield has strengthened with the signings of Kamara and Gruev, it is not a very serious situation if Leeds are to miss out on the Celtic maestro and his signing would just be a bonus addition.
A move to Elland Road isn’t quite the same as a regular move to a Championship club, with Leeds looking likely to compete for a return to the Premier League in the near future having strengthened well this summer and kept their brightest talent.
It will likely be a busy night to end the summer window at Elland Road, with plenty of interest in some of the Whites’ players and still a few targets on the 49ers and Farke’s shopping list, there could be time for O’Riley to make his way south of the border.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have received a £20m bid for Summerville from the Premier League