Matt O’Riley certainly didn’t rule out a summer move to Atletico Madrid in his chat with the Danish media. He’s clearly flattered by their interest and looks set to be the big summer sale from the current Celtic squad.
Atletico were clearly impressed by O’Riley who got the Man of the Match when the sides met in the Champions League at Celtic Park in October.
Atletico Bid £18m
Their January offer to Celtic was for an initial loan with a commitment to buy at £18m. Celtic rejected this and have valued the former MK Dons midfielder at least £25m. Will Atletico come back in this summer and meet Celtic’s transfer demands?
If they do, the man that Celtic could be lining up to replace O’Riley could already be at the club. Celtic plan to renegotiate the option to buy price for Paulo Bernardo and if Benfica are prepared to accept £5m a deal could happen.
Net gain of £20m
That would give Celtic a net gain of £20m. And the return on Matt O’Riley who arrived in January 2022 for just £1.5m, would be exceptional. Celtic’s business model working in full flow but the support wants to see the team improve so that we can complete in European football.
Matt O’Riley via Tipsbladet on the January bid from Atletico Madrid which Celtic rejected : “Celtic received an offer from Atletico Madrid, and that was cool, but Celtic wanted more money. I’m not upset about it. For me, it was just cool that a club like them would want me. It’s not often you receive an offer from Atletico Madrid, so of course, it’s great. We’ll see what happens.”
🎙️ Matt O’Riley: “Celtic received an offer from Atletico Madrid, and that was cool, but Celtic wanted more money. I’m not upset about it. For me, it was just cool that a club like them would want me. It’s not often you receive an offer from Atletico Madrid, so of course, it’s… pic.twitter.com/SRPKVSEFHu
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) March 21, 2024
Paulo Bernardo could become a permanent Celtic signing IF his parent club Benfica are prepared to negotiate on the transfer fee, with Celtic looking at reducing the previously agreed option to buy sum. Portuguese news outlet A Bola- Benfica: Celtic want to keep Paulo Bernardo | Abola.pt, reports that the original loan deal has an option to buy at £6.4m but Celtic believe that this is unreasonably high.
Three goals, two assists
Bernardo has scored three times and registered two assists across 25 games in all competitions for the club, racking up a total of 1,315 minutes on the park. His major moment came on 30 December when he scored the opening goal in the Glasgow Derby against theRangers at Celtic Park, which Celtic won 2-1.
🇵🇹 | 𝙋𝙖𝙪𝙡𝙤 𝘽𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙤 – 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚
Celtic have indicated to Benfica they want a permanent deal struck to take Portugal U21 midfielder Paulo Bernardo to the club permanently.
There is a £6.4M clause however Celtic want to renegotiate this.
[@abolapt] pic.twitter.com/GGjNBGTdeu
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) March 21, 2024
