Matt O’Riley tipped to quit Celtic and join ‘top Italian club’ – expert
Celtic star Matt O’Riley could turn down a move to the English Premier League in favour of joining a “top team” in Italy or Spain this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie insisted that the midfielder, 23, would not want to move to an English side in the bottom half of the table.
However, it was also said that a team near the top of the Premier League would be unlikely to make a move, opening the door to top teams from Italy or Spain to swoop.
McAvennie explained his view that O’Riley and Celtic are “a match made in heaven” and questioned why he would want to leave Parkhead, but confessed a move abroad looked most likely.
Matt O’Riley transfer twist emerges at Celtic
This has come after Football Insider revealed that the club are bracing for bids for the player who collected all of their Player of the Year awards.
With O’Riley’s current deal set to run until 2027, the midfielder whom McAvennie described as “wonderful” could be set for a big-money move.
“I don’t know if he’s their best player, but he’s been the most outstanding player,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s scored some great goals, got some great assists and I’m not sure where he would want to go.
“I don’t think he would want to go to the [English] Premiership. I don’t think Matt would want to go down to one of the bottom clubs and fight. I don’t think he’s that kind of player.
“I don’t know if the top clubs will come in for him. He’s stuck in limbo a bit.
“He’s a wonderful talent. I think he’ll go abroad. If he goes anywhere it’ll be Spain or Italy. He could go to one of the top teams in Italy or wherever.
“I don’t know if he’d want to go. He’s loving it at Celtic. It’s a match made in heaven. I think he might want to stay, why would you want to leave?“
In other news, Celtic have already rejected a “big bid” for O’Riley.
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