Sources: Celtic club-record transfer expected as new bid being submitted

Leicester City are expected to miss out on the signing of Celtic star Matt O’Riley as Atalanta step up their interest in signing him, sources have told Football Insider.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the Glasgow giants will demand a club-record fee of upwards of £25million to sell the 23-year-old after his impressive year at Parkhead.

Atalanta have opened talks with Celtic over a deal and are readying a second bid after their opening offer was rejected.

Celtic’s previous record sale is the £25m Al-Ittihad paid for Jota last year and the transfer of Kieran Tierney to Arsenal for the same fee.

Steve Cooper has prioritised a move to sign a new central midfielder this summer after losing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea.

However, after winning promotion from the Championship last season, the Foxes are expected to face a relegation battle despite their ambitious transfer plan.

Champions League clubs are also monitoring O’Riley and will make it difficult for Leicester to secure his signing.

Leicester City to miss out on Matt O’Riley signing from Celtic

Leicester find themselves in a tricky financial position, but are keen to find a deal and could move quickly in an attempt to beat rivals to the deal.

However, former Celtic forward Frank McAvennie insisted to Football Insider that the midfielder would be looking for a move to a top club rather than one in a relegation battle.

O’Riley is seen as the ideal replacement for Dewsbury-Hall to provide goals and assists from midfield, but the level of interest in him has made the deal difficult.

Last season, he was named as Celtic’s Player of the Season and Players’ Play of the Season after he scored 19 goals and provided 18 assists, lifting the League and Scottish Cup.

Having been named the new manager of Leicester over the summer, Cooper is keen to strengthen his squad and prepare for a fight against relegation.

The club’s situation has been made worse by the lingering threat of a points deduction, which former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider could be as harsh as 12 points.

In other news, Leicester have been warned their points deduction appeal is doomed to fail.

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