Celtic have been dealt a late setback in their bid to secure a deal to bring Matt O’Riley to Parkhead in the January transfer window.
What’s the talk?
That’s according to a report by the Daily Record, who claim that West Bromwich Albion have made an 11th-hour bid for the Milton Keynes Dons central midfielder.
However, the report goes on to state that, at present, it still appears as if the 21-year-old is on course to make a switch to Ange Postecoglou’s side, with the former England U18 international having undergone a medical with the Hoops on Wednesday.
Finally, it is claimed that, unless there is a dramatic last-minute U-turn on the part of the player, Celtic should seal the £1.5m transfer of the midfielder in the coming days.
Postecoglou will be having flashbacks
While, at present, it does seem as if O’Riley’s move to Parkhead is very much still on, the fact that a Championship side have made a late offer in an attempt to thwart Celtic’s deal to sign the midfielder will undoubtedly be giving Postecoglou flashbacks to his failed bid to land Riley McGree earlier this month.
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Indeed, despite having agreed a £3m fee for the FC Charlotte star, with reports suggesting that a deal for the 23-year-old was all but finalised despite the interest of a number of English second-tier sides, the Australian international was made a late offer by Middlesbrough, something which the midfielder went onto accept ahead of the opportunity to join Celtic.
And, while Postecoglou came out on the defensive regarding his failed bid to land McGree, with the 56-year-old claiming that he didn’t care the 23-year-old had opted to join a Championship side ahead of the Bhoys, it is undeniable that missing out on a deal for the Australian would have come as a massive blow to the Hoops boss.
As such, with West Brom now looking as if they are attempting to repeat Middlesbrough’s trick regarding Celtic’s deal to sign O’Riley, the Greek-Australian coach will undoubtedly be sweating while the final touches of his move for the MK Dons starlet – who has scored ten goals and registered eight assists over his 54 appearances for the League One side, as well as being dubbed an “elegant” player by Sam Rourke – are completed.
In other news: Ange can seal biggest Celtic signing since Edouard with “perfect” £12.5m-rated dynamo