Leeds United made a £10 million bid for Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley in the final couple of days of the window.
As per Sky Sports, O’Riley was one of Leeds’ top midfield targets last week but were met by a firm not for sale stance by Celtic despite making a huge offer.
While many would turn their nose up at the Scottish Premiership, O’Riley has already proven his ability is beyond that of the Championship.
He would, therefore, have represented a significant coup had Leeds managed to get him, but it shows just how highly they rate him that they were prepared to turn down a £10 million offer.
And Celtic now look as though they want to go one step further, with Sky Sports reporting they are now looking to offer him a new deal and tie his long-term future to the club by the end of this international break.
Leeds now surely have missed chance to sign O’Riley
If O’Riley was to put pen-to-paper on a new deal in Glasgow, that would all but end Leeds‘ hopes of signing him, particularly if they remain in the Championship.
Having managed to sell Jota during the summer for £25 million, Celtic would probably command somewhere close to that to sell O’Riley if he signs a new deal.
That sort of fee is just way beyond what Championship clubs can afford to spend on a single player, regardless of how healthy a financial position they are in.
The only way Leeds could now prise O’Riley to Elland Road is if they get promoted this season, with the temptation of Premier League often too good to turn down for most players.
Given his creativity, O’Riley remains exactly the type of player Daniel Farke needs and who knows, if he does reject a new contract, then a return in January may not be beyond the realms of possibility.
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