Southampton have shown keen interest in acquiring Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, who has been valued at £30 million by the Scottish club.
O’Riley had a standout 2023/24 season, impressing with 19 goals in 49 appearances across various competitions as Celtic secured the league title. His stellar performances have drawn attention from several clubs, with Southampton emerging as particularly interested parties.
The Saints, under manager Russel Martin, are focused on enhancing their squad ahead of the upcoming season after securing promotion back to the Premier League in May. According to reports from the Times, Southampton have pinpointed O’Riley as a top target for potential recruitment this summer.
Born in London, Matt O’Riley emerged through the Fulham academy as a promising young talent and opted to represent the Danish national team due to his mother’s heritage. After a stint at MK Dons, he made a significant move to Celtic in January 2022 for a reported fee of £1.5 million. Since then, the now 23-year-old midfielder has become a key player for the Glasgow-based club, notably contributing to an impressive 31 goals in just 37 appearances in the Scottish Premier League last season.
His remarkable performance has indicated readiness for a move to the Premier League, a sentiment supported by Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers who once described O’Riley’s consistency as “absolutely phenomenal.” Southampton’s strong interest in him aligns with this belief in his abilities, with reports suggesting the Saints view him as a top target for the current transfer window.
Celtic have set a hefty £30 million price tag on O’Riley, a sum that reflects both his potential and the club’s desire to retain their prized asset. For Southampton, who have recently re-entered the financially lucrative Premier League, such an investment may be seen as justified to bolster their midfield options.
During Southampton’s promotion campaign, the bulk of their goals came from strikers Adam Armstrong and Che Adams, highlighting a need for greater midfield goal contributions. Players like Will Smallbone, Stuart Armstrong, Joe Aribo, Joe Rothwell, Carlos Alcarez, and Flynn Downes combined for just 24 goals, with none scoring more than six individually. O’Riley’s ability to score consistently from midfield, as evidenced by his impressive 18 league goals last season, makes him an enticing prospect for manager Russel Martin’s squad.
**O’Riley’s Scottish Premiership Statistics 2023/24:**
– Appearances: 37
– Goals: 18
– Assists: 13
– Shots Per 90: 3.03
– Fouls Drawn: 30
These stats underline O’Riley’s potency in attack and his potential to make a significant impact at a higher level, further justifying Southampton’s pursuit of him this summer.
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