Celtic have reportedly set their asking price for Matt O’Riley with Southampton ready to make their move.
The Hoops’ star man from last season is on the radar of many clubs after Atletico Madrid failed with a £20million, plus add-ons, swoop in January. A number of English clubs are thought to be interested, including Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham, but Saints entered the race after their promotion back to the Premier League.
Former Scotland international Russell Martin is their manager and he previously worked with the 23-year-old at MK Dons before his big move to Parkhead, and is keen on a reunion. The Times are now reporting it’s got to the stage where the south coast side are ready to swoop for the player.
The report also states that Celtic are looking for £30million in order to part company with the goalscoring midfielder. That price is said to be non-negotiable.
If Southampton meet that fee, it would be a record-breaking sale for a Scottish club, smashing the £25m the Hoops received from Al-Ittihad for Jota last year and previously from Arsenal for Kieran Tierney.
It’s understood such a price would not put the newly-promoted Premier League side, with access to enormous finances thanks to that promotion. O’Riley hit an impressive 19 goals and 18 assists in all competitions last season, taking his total tally in a Celts shirt to 27 and 34 respectively.
