You sense things are starting to move for Celtic in the summer transfer window.
From Kasper Schmeichel to Matt O’Riley. Back to Adam Idah and with Paulo Bernardo thrown in between.
These next few weeks, before Celtic begin their opening Scottish Premiership campaign at home to Kilmarnock, could see several incomings and outgoings.
Brendan Rodgers delivered the Scottish Premiership title last season, but it came with its bumps in the road.
It was topped off with that incredible Scottish Cup final win over Rangers, but this is now Celtic’s time to continue to dominate in Glasgow and progress further in the Champions League.
A lot of that, especially the latter, will be dependent on what the club do in the summer transfer market after question marks over past deals.
For Rodgers himself, this is now going to be his team, his own fingerprints and the players he wants to sign, so no more excuses.
But you feel a lot of that will depend on the future of one of his best players, Matt O’Riley.
Mark Wilson was reacting to the suggestion of Serie A side Atalanta wanting to sign the ‘fantastic’ playmaker, as he told Clyde 1.
Given that the ‘starting bid is £15 million’, then Wilson feels it’s now ‘the beginning of the end’ and it will lead to the path of O’Riley leaving.
Wilson expects the Europa League winners, who will be in the Champions League next term, to come back in and put another offer on the table for the Denmark international.
Atalanta want to sign Celtic star Matt O’Riley
“It looks like the beginning of the end for Matt O’Riley, I think,” said Wilson. “When you get a serious contender like Atalanta coming in, they finished fourth in Serie A and the starting bid is £15 million, then you know they have a lot in reserve to keep adding to that.
“Of course, they will (put more bids in). If the shoe was on the other foot, look at Celtic with Idah. They offer a low-ball offer. Knowing full well they have to get to x amount to get Idah to come and Atalanta are no different. They will test Celtic with £15 million. There will probably be some add-ons in there. Celtic, obviously, want a bigger price up front, as well as the add-ons, I would imagine.
“I am pretty sure the clubs, before the August transfer window is over, the club will get there. Matt O’Riley has been a fantastic player for Celtic. Fitted the model perfectly. We are buying cheap and selling big. He’s right there. I still think there is scope there to go up dramatically (O’Riley’s price) – I think it will take it closer to £20 million. It will be the beginning of the end.”
Celtic to sign Paulo Bernardo
One man who is very familiar to Celtic faces is last season’s loan star from Benfica Paulo Bernardo.
You are getting O’Riley vibes with the 22-year-old and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he takes his game to serious hits during the next few years.
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Bernardo was an unsung hero for the Bhoys last term, from scoring against Rangers at Parkhead, to his driving run and shot leading to that Idah winner!
Sources have told HITC that Bernardo wants the Celtic move, as Benfica have revealed their asking price for the midfielder.
Will he be O’Riley’s replacement? No. But he can be part of it because you suspect someone else will also come in ahead of the Danish star’s expected exit.