'Top professional': Celtic star is in Chelsea's sights as Blues look for Conor Gallagher replacement
Chelsea have joined the list of suitors interested in Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley.
The Blues have identified O'Riley as a potential replacement for Conor Gallagher, and talkSPORT understands that Still open to signing a new deal Despite a £33m bid from Atletico Madrid being accepted.
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If he Chelsea If the academy product leaves, his transfer could be used to bring in O'Riley, who is valued at £20million.
Celtic have already rejected offers for the London-born star.
That includes a £14m bid from Southampton ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Chelsea's Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and Brighton are also interested in the 23-year-old, as are Serie A side Atalanta.
He is only interested in accepting a signing that guarantees him regular playing time.
Chelsea may have to offer more than £20m plus extras to persuade Celtic.
Speaking to Sky sports on O'Riley, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers He said: “It's actually been very straightforward with Matt because he's such a great professional. The challenge for teams coming into a club like Celtic is that they can sometimes put their value on the league and not the player.
“Obviously there are riches in other leagues much greater than ours that allow players to go and improve their living conditions, we all understand that.
“The important thing for me is that if a player leaves here, I pay the value of the player and that is not something that always happens.
“No player will leave here unless it is for the right valuation and at this point there has not been a team that has come close to that.”
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O'Riley played for England at youth level but has since represented Denmark due to his Danish mother.
He began his senior career with Fulham before moving to MK Dons in 2021.
A year later he joined Celtic for £1.5m after the Hoops met his release clause.
He has gained experience in the Champions League, playing 121 matches in total.
O'Riley has scored 27 goals and recorded 34 assists in that time.
He also won three Scottish Premier League titles, two Scottish Cups and the Scottish League Cup.
