It's all happening with Matt O'Riley and it's reported in Italy Atalanta have upped the ante AGAIN. . The news that Southampton are 'out of the race' for Matt O'Riley dovetailing with a spike in interest in the Italian media after Saints boss Russell Martin says they aren't in the running 'for now' to land the playmaker.
That leaves Atalanta the clear frontrunners, having already lodged five unsuccessful bids. Calcio Mercato say another offer, thought to be worth €25m plus €2m in bonuses, has been lodged - though there seems to be some confusion with the Italian outlet claiming this latest bid is just their fourth.
It is, however, the highest figure cited yet, coming to just over £23m in total. They say that Celtic are holding out for €29m (just under £25m), though even that figure seems low.Atletico Madrid, Inter, Chelsea and Liverpool are all in the queue and watching closely.
Italian transfer journalist Nicolo Schira goes as far to claim that O'Riley has 'agreed personal terms' on the move, though that may be jumping the gun slightly at this stage.Meanwhile SportWitness carry reports from TuttoMercato, saying Celtic have Atalanta and Juventus 'on strings' - with talks between the two over Teun Koopmeiners seemingly at a deadlock until Atalanta can find a way to land O'Riley.
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