Leeds United have a lot of work to do if they are to complete a deal for Celtic’s Matt O’Riley.
That is according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who was speaking to Give Me Sport on Leeds’ reported pursuit of the 22-year-old.
He claimed that ‘it would take some persuading’ for Leeds to prise O’Riley to Elland Road with Celtic also reluctant to sell one of their most prised assets this late in the window.
Leeds were first linked with O’Riley on Tuesday evening with Sky Sports reporting Daniel Farke is prepared to battle Southampton to his signature.
As per the Scottish Sun, Leeds have seen an offer knocked back by the Scottish Champions for the midfielder, but are bracing themselves for more interest in the closing stages of the window.
Celtic reluctant to sell Leeds target O’Riley
Providing an update on the situation, Jones shared that O’Riley does intend on returning to England at ‘some point’, but it will take a lot of work for it to happen during this window.
He said: “Leeds are also being linked with Matt O’Riley which is a really absorbing one as I have been told that he does have a plan to get back to English football at some point – but it would take some persuading for this one to happen right now. Celtic are not very open to it from what I heard.”
Based on this update it feels a bit like Leeds are running up a blind alley and at this stage of the window, time simply cannot be wasted.
That said, top players are always going to be difficult deals to get done and O’Riley certainly falls under that category, as he would represent a significant coup for this division.
Leeds now have less than 48 hours to complete any remaining business and midfield is currently their priority at this stage.
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