Celtic star Matt O'Riley to be offered '£40,000-a-wk' deal - expert

Matt O'Riley has been tipped to stay at Celtic beyond the summer transfer window after a bumper contract offer was mooted.

This comes after Southampton reportedly hit a stumbling block in their move for the midfielder after they couldn't reach an agreement over his wages.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie insisted O'Riley would be offered a new £40,000-per-week deal and has backed him to remain at the club as a result.

He went on to explain that he would have been surprised to see the 23-year-old join Southampton.

However, Football Insider revealed on 8 July that Chelsea, Brighton and West Ham are among the clubs hopeful of tempting the midfielder away from Parkhead.

Matt O'Riley tipped to sign bumper contract at Celtic

O'Riley swept the board at Celtic's end-of-season awards last time out as he was named Player of the Season and Player's Player of the Season.

Those performances have attracted interest from clubs across England and Europe.

Sources have told Football Insider that the club will hold out for a fee of £25-30million for his signature, as McAvennie stressed his importance to Brendan Rodgers' side.

"I think Celtic will offer him a contract," he told Football Insider.

"I'd have been very surprised if he wanted to go down to Southampton, looking at [Stuart] Armstrong and that, but it's all about money.

"I think Celtic will give him a bumper contract with £40,000 per week or whatever he wants, and I think he'll stay.

"I think he's an important player for us and he'll be even better with a holding player next to him if one is coming in."

In other news, Celtic are closing in on the signing of Paulo Bernardo.

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