Leicester City, who advanced from the Championship the previous year, is vying for Celtic star Matt O’Riley in the SPFL, while Athletico Madrid of La Liga is a rival.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who left the team to join former manager Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, is leaving, and new Foxes manager Steve Cooper is eager to find a replacement. O’Riley has been named as the perfect alternative, but the £50 million price tag might prove to be a challenge.

Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as fellow promotion winners Southampton, have already decided against pursuing the former MK Dons player due to the expensive price. According to Alan Nixon (paywall), this would imply that a deal for O’Riley might end up costing more than the sum paid for Dewsbury-Hall.

Even while the cost is off-putting to the English clubs, Athletic Madrid, the dominant team in Spain, may be able to acquire a player they have long admired. It is unclear, though, if they would be prepared to follow through on their interest this summer.

After playing for Fulham’s youth squad in the beginning of his career, Matt O’Riley declined a contract in 2020. Before agreeing to a contract with League One MK Dons in January 2021, he trained with them for six months as a free agent. He made an impression, winning the November NFL Young Player of the Month award. In the 54 games that followed, he made 10 goals and eight assists. Due to his outstanding achievements, Celtic decided to spend £1.5 million on the young player in 2022.

During his tenure, he made 121 appearances, scoring 27 goals and providing 34 assists to help his team win three Scottish Titles, two Scottish Cups, and one Scottish League Cup. Celtic can demand a high price because they currently have a contract with the player that expires in 2027.

A meteoric ascent?

Even with all of his achievements, the player is still only 23. In a short of years, he went from turning down a contract at Fulham and falling into the third division to drawing interest from Athletico Madrid, a team with a £50 million price tag. This indicates not only his aptitude but also his readiness to work hard and behave appropriately in order to advance his profession.

Celtic is aware of what they have; O’Riley is a star player and more than just an asset, therefore it would be challenging to replace him. They can demand a high cost because they have a long contract. Fans of MK Dons might be able to witness a former player in the Premier League or perhaps the Champions League if he does wind up going this summer.

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