Southampton could have to pay a significant sum to land transfer target Matt O’Riley in this window.
The Celtic star is reportedly attracting interest from a number of clubs across Europe, including Liverpool, Atalanta and Atletico Madrid. However, Saints appear to be adamant that they are firmly in the hunt for his signature.
The 23-year-old Denmark international scored 19 goals in all competitions in a breakout season under Brendan Rodgers in 2023/24, which saw Celtic win the domestic double.
There is growing expectation that the Scottish champions will snap up the player before the transfer window closes, but a potentially record fee will be needed to convince them to sell him.
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Could O’Riley move to Southampton as Celtic’s record sale?
According to the Sunday Mirror, as reported Give me sportSouthampton would have to offer a fee of £30 million (US$38.8 million) to prise O’Riley from Celtic.
That sum would eclipse the previous record sale by a Scottish club, which was set when the Bhoys sold Kieran Tierney to Arsenal for £25m five years ago.
Such an outlay would represent a considerable chunk of Southampton’s transfer budget ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Will Russell Martin give the Saints the edge in their pursuit of O’Riley?
Despite the competition for his signature, there is a feeling that Southampton could have a trump card in their bid to sign O’Riley.
The player worked with Saints manager Russell Martin at MK Dons before his move to Celtic and it is claimed he would be happy with a reunion.
O’Riley made 49 appearances in League One before joining Celtic in January 2022 for around £1.5m ($2m).
