Chelsea’s pursuit of Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley as a replacement for Conor Gallagher this summer has intensified as the club looks to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming season. With Todd Boehly leading the charge to provide new head coach Enzo Maresca with the necessary tools to compete in the Premier League, the Blues have earmarked O’Riley as the ideal candidate to fill the void left by Gallagher’s absence from first-team training.
While Chelsea’s interest in O’Riley is clear, the midfielder reportedly has reservations about making the move to Stamford Bridge. The Danish international is said to be seeking assurances of a guaranteed starting spot, a demand that may pose a challenge given the competition within Chelsea’s squad. Despite this, Chelsea remains determined to secure O’Riley’s signature, with rival clubs such as Crystal Palace and Brighton also expressing interest in the talented 23-year-old.
O’Riley’s impressive performances for Celtic last season have caught the attention of top clubs, with the midfielder registering an impressive 38 goal contributions in 49 games. His tally of 19 goals and 18 assists, which included three assists in the Champions League, played a crucial role in Celtic’s title charge in the Scottish Premiership.
While Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been adamant about holding onto O’Riley unless a suitable offer is made, Chelsea may need to meet a steep asking price of over £20 million to secure the midfielder’s services. The negotiations surrounding O’Riley’s potential transfer highlight the growing competition among clubs vying for the talented midfielder’s signature this summer.
