After Leeds presented a summer bid, European teams are expected to compete for a £10 million player in January.
In January, European clubs are expected to enter the race for Leeds United target Matt O’Riley.
According to Sky Sports, O’Riley is still in talks with Celtic about a new contract, but he will have to move quickly as clubs throughout Europe prepare to make moves in the forthcoming winter window.
Leeds were keen on signing O’Riley during the summer transfer window, but the Scottish champions turned down an offer of roughly £10 million, according to Sky Sports.
The Whites chose not to raise their offer and instead signed Glen Kamara from Rangers and Ilia Gruev from Werder Bremen for a price of £11 million.
Having sold Jota in the summer, Celtic view O’Riley as one of their marquee assets and as per the Daily Record, opened contract talks with him during the last international break.
European clubs keen on Leeds target O’Riley
If a deal is not agreed by the next transfer window, that could open the door for interested clubs to make their move, though Celtic can still command a decent fee with his contract not expiring until 2026.
It remains unclear at this stage whether Leeds will test Celtic’s resolve again in January, though number 10 does remain a position that could do with strengthening.
Joel Piroe has been playing just in behind Georginio Rutter this season since his arrival from Swansea City and has made an excellent start to his Leeds career, but isn’t the type of player who can unlock a defence.
O’Riley is certainly that, and he has had a fantastic start to the season with four goals and two assists in six league outings.
The 22-year-old is the type of player Leeds should be looking for in January. He would be able to make an immediate impact in the Premier League if promoted, but if Daniel Farke’s team were to remain in the division, they would still have one of the greatest players in the competition at their disposal.
