‘Priceless’: Player flourishing after his club didn’t sell him to Leeds

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Leeds United were strongly linked with Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley in the final days of the summer transfer window, but no move happened.

When Leeds United were trying to sign a new midfielder in the final week of the summer transfer window, they made a move for Celtic star Matt O’Riley.

Leeds United linked with summer move for Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley

Sky Sports reported on August 31 that Leeds offered Celtic £10 million in transfer fees for O’Riley.

Celtic turned it down.

The defending Scottish Premiership champions reportedly “reiterated to Leeds that they consider the midfielder not for sale”.

And you could understand why.

Celtic are playing in the UEFA Champions League this season.

Now, the Hoops are not going to win the competition and may not even get out of their group, but they do need to make an impact and have to keep hold of players like O’Riley to continue to win major domestic trophies.

Matt O’Riley flourishing at Celtic

O’Riley is only 22, and Celtic could be able to sell the midfielder for much more than £10 million in the coming years.

The Denmark Under-21 international is also a key figure for Celtic.

Last season, the midfielder scored three goals and gave 12 assists in 32 Scottish Premiership starts.

O’Riley’s performances for Celtic so far this season show just why Leeds were so keen on him.

The youngster has scored four goals and given two assists in six Scottish Premiership matches this campaign.

O’Riley has become a goal threat for Celtic this season.

The latest goal from the midfielder came in Celtic’s 3-0 win against Livingston away from home in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

O’Riley scored the second goal for Brendan Rodgers’s side in the opening minutes of the second half.

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon was impressed with the midfielder and raved about him.

Lennon said on Sky Sports (23/09/23 at 2:40 pm), as transcribed by 67HailHail: “O’Riley has just been outstanding this season.

“He popped up with another goal.

“Matt O’Riley is making those late runs into the box, and again, he is on a great goalscoring run, at the minute.

“It’s absolutely priceless for Celtic.”