Leeds United were desperate to bring in a no.10 last summer and one target has gone on to win his club’s Player of the Season award after contributing a massive 33 goals and assists.
Daniel Farke failed to bring one in at Elland Road despite Nadiem Amiri flying in to Yorkshire to discuss personal terms, and a bid being tabled for play-off opponent and Norwich City captain Kenny McLean.
That lack of no.10 has seen Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter play behind the striker and often each other, while Archie Gray was used in that role on Sunday afternoon in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals.
Another that Leeds wanted to sign was Denmark star Matt O’Riley from Celtic. The Whites are said to have tabled a £10m bid to land the former Fulham man, which was rejected by the Scottish champions.
It looks to be a move that has benefitted Celtic enormously, as Brendan Rodgers guides Celtic closer to a Scottish Premiership title with O’Riley his main man. He scored in the 2-1 win over Rangers on Saturday.
A win that takes Celtic six points clear of The Gers with two league games to play, and a better goal difference of seven. Celtic have now recognised O’Riley’s efforts at their end of season awards night.
Leeds target O’Riley wins Celtic’s Player of the Season award
The playmaker scored a huge 16 goals in 46 games in all competitions while proving even more creative, with a massive 17 assists. O’Riley also won Celtic’s Young Player of the Season award, given he’s 23.
Now rated at £25m or more, O’Riley has become a Denmark international and could well be the subject of Leeds interest once again this summer if The Whites can gain promotion back to the Premier League.
Chris Sutton is of the belief that O’Riley will leave in the coming months with interest from Atletico Madrid having impressed against Diego Simeone’s men in the Champions League before Christmas.
Leeds desperately need an O’Riley but is there any chance?
Promotion is an absolute necessity if Leeds are to stand any chance of landing the ex-MK Dons man. A gorgeous left foot that has turned games on their head for Celtic both in Europe and domestically.
Just look at his display on Saturday, while he might have missed a penalty. Anything good that Celtic did against Old Firm rivals Rangers was through him, and that win has pretty much won Celtic the title.
Leeds seem outsiders and should have tabled a whole lot more cash to tempt Celtic before his fantastic 2023-24 campaign because now, they might have to triple their initial bid to get a deal done.
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