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Major Celtic hero Matt O’Riley transfer update as second Premier League side launch big money bid to replace £30m star
They think he could be a like-for-like replacement for one of their biggest stars
LEICESTER CITY are joining the race for Celtic’s Matt O’Riley.
New Foxes manager Steve Cooper needs a replacement for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after his £30million move to Chelsea.
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Club scouts think O’Riley would replace his goals and assists as they prepare for the Premier League.
But Celtic want a Scottish record fee of over £25m for the Denmark midfielder.
O’Riley, 23, is also wanted by his former MK Dons boss Russell Martin at Southampton and has been watched by Brighton and several other English top-flight sides.
Leicester may need to pay more than the money they made on Dewsbury-Hall’s move to land O’Riley and will be at full stretch to pull that deal off.
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But all the English clubs could yet miss out on Celtic’s prized asset if Atletico Madrid follow up their January bid and take him to La Liga.
O’Riley signed a new long-term Hoops deal last season but is expected to move on in this window as interest mounts.
He was surprisingly left out of Denmark’s squad for Euro 2024 but remains sought-after across Europe.
O’Riley returned to Celtic training this week after being given extra time off following a hectic schedule last term.
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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers hopes to have new signings in place before he heads to the USA with his squad in ten days.
Hoops defender Stephen Welsh has told fans to have faith — because the club NEVER stands still.
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Boss Rodgers called for patience as the wait to bring in new players this summer continues.
But Welsh, who joined when he was just eight, insists history proves the Double winners never rest on their laurels.
Now 24, he said: “I think at this club we are always striving to improve. We’re always trying to get better. We are never standing still.
“Signings is probably a bit higher up than me. I don’t think I can comment on that.
“But we are never a club that stands still. We always look to improve on and off the pitch.”
Welsh played second fiddle to Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales last season.
But he skippered the side in the 1-1 friendly draw with Ayr on Friday night which saw fellow centre-half Maik Nawrocki limp off midway through the first half.
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Celts next face Queen’s Park on Wednesday night but Rodgers wants new faces through the door by the time they head off on their ten-day USA camp on July 18.
Welsh added: “I think the more competition for places in the team the better because it pushes everyone else on.
“It doesn’t matter whereabouts, any position on the pitch, if we have got a lot of quality in it, it makes us a better team.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers hailed the performance of youngsters Bosun Lawal and Dane Murray at Ayr.
He said: “I really like Bosun. He is a player who clearly has a lot of physical attributes.
“But what he has as well is a lot of football ability.
“He has been out on loan and you can see he has had that experience and has that power and quality to break though.
“It was also great to see Dane back. He was someone I saw when he was around the first team at 16 or 17.
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“But he’d a horrendous time with injuries, so I’m really pleased for him that he’s got minutes on the field. He’s a great size and moves well.”
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