Atalanta have been keen on Matt O’Riley all summer, but not yet managed to meet the figures Celtic are looking for. That’s allowed Brighton & Hove Albion to move in and try to divert Brendan Rodgers’ midfielder in their direction.
However, there’s been a development: Teun Koopmeiners has basically gone on strike to try and force a move to Juventus.
Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini said earlier today that the player has made the decision to move and doesn’t want to train any longer. That kills their hopes of keeping him and he’ll now be sold, with La Dea asking for €60m, Juve offering €45m, and the likelihood they’ll meet somewhere in the middle.
That provides the Serie A club with fresh impetus, and a big pile of money in the pipeline, to speed up their own pursuits. Calciomercato report an ‘acceleration in the next few hours’ can be expected towards Celtic’s Matt O’Riley.
O’Riley impressed repeatedly in preseason and was good again for Celtic against Kilmarnock at the weekend, contributing an assist in the 4-0 victory.
