Celtic could be handed a boost this summer that they would not have expected.
Celtic are expected to be busy in the summer transfer window. They need to make additions as the current squad seems to have stagnated and might very well have reached the end of their cycle.
That being said, there are plenty of Celtic players who are being linked with moves away as well. And not just those on the periphery of the squad.
Pretty much every summer, we see key players leave Celtic. Last time around, it was Nicolas Kuhn joining Como. Before that, Matt O'Riley was the one headed to Brighton & Hove Albion in a £25 million move.
Speaking of O'Riley, it looks like he could be on the move again. O'Riley spent the first half of the season out on loan at Marseille and was a regular contributor for the French side.
He would return to Brighton in the middle of the season but simply has not gotten enough chances. As a result, he is being linked with a move away.
For most players, that would mean moving down the table in search of game time. But for O'Riley, it might see him join a bigger club.
According to Sky Sports, Atletico Madrid are still keen on O'Riley. The Spanish club are looking to add depth to their midfield and view the former Celtic player as an attractive addition to the squad. Serie A clubs are interested in him as well.
Celtic fans with a keen memory will remember that Atletico Madrid had made a £20 million transfer bid looking to sign O'Riley in the winter transfer window of 2024.
That did not happen as Celtic were not ready to let him leave in the middle of the season. But eventually, a move to Brighton materialised the following summer.
Now, why could this Atletico Madrid news be of interest to Celtic? That is because they are believed to hold a 10% sell-on clause when it comes to O'Riley.
It remains to be seen if Atletico Madrid will make a move for O'Riley in the summer transfer window or not. If they do, Celtic could be in line for a cash boost, depending on the magnitude of the offer.
The Celtic midfield itself could be set for a revamp this summer as several of their regular starters are being linked with moves away, including long-time club captain Callum McGregor. Let's just hope that by the end of the summer window, the Hoops are much stronger than they look right now.
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