Atalanta enter Matt O'Riley transfer fray as Celtic braced for Southampton bidding war

Matt O'Riley is not short of suitors and now Europa League holders Atalanta have joined the queue.

The Celtic star shone for the Hoops last season after hitting 19 goals and providing 18 assists in a player of the year campaign. His stunning form earned him clubs from around the continent readying bids with Atletico Madrid tabling an official offer in January which was booted out by Brendan Rodgers.

Southampton are known admirers and manager Russell Martin hoped to bring him to St Mary's with an offer worth more than £20million plus add-ons to the Scottish champions. That's unlikely to be enough and Serie A outfit La Dea are now hopeful of gazumping their challengers for O'Riley's signature.

The Daily Record report that Juventus are interested in Atalanta's midfielder Teun Koopmeiners and that would leave a hole in their engine room they hope to fill with Celtic's Dane.

O'Riley, who narrowly missed out on a Euro 2024 spot with his country, is under contract at Parkhead until 2027 which keeps his current club in a strong position.

Reports have recently suggested that Celts would want upwards of £30m for their star man.