John Hartson believes Matt O'Riley is worth around £20m as a result of his impressive start to life at Celtic.
Russell Martin has long been an admirer of the central midfielder since his days with the player at MK Dons and was eager to bring him to Swansea City in January. However, the club's owners were not willing to sanction a move for the London-born 21-year-old.
O'Riley joined Celtic and has excelled since moving to Scotland. He helped Ange Postecoglou's side to win the 2021/22 Scottish Premiership title and went on to feature for Denmark's Under-21s for the first time.
READ MORE: Swansea City's transfer frustration as Leeds United blow dealt and exits still uncertain
Such has been his remarkable rise, he is now being linked with a move to Leicester City. Newcastle United are bidding to sign James Maddison from the Foxes who are suggested to be keen on taking O'Riley from Celtic Park to the King Power Stadium.
But former Wales star Hartson - who scored 109 goals in 201 appearances for Celtic - believes his former club should not sell the midfielder on the cheap. "Well, listen, Celtic might look at it if it was £50m. Is he any better than O'Riley, Maddison?" he told our sister title the Daily Record.
"What is the difference? O'Riley does fantastic things on the ball. Maddison has had a little bit more experience of the Premier League. Let's not forget that Maddison has improved massively since he was up at Aberdeen a few years back.
"All of a sudden he goes to Leicester in the Premier League, does that then make him worth 10 times what a player that is playing in the Scottish Premiership is worth? O'Riley is massive to Ange Postecoglou and the Celtic teams plans going forward, the four fronts and four trophies that Celtic will compete for. I'm just making a point, if O'Riley is £4-£5m, what makes Maddison £50m or more? Leicester have got to come and pay top dollar.
“Maddison is £50m and O’Riley £12m? Celtic don’t need to take the money. I’m not saying £50m for him but you’re looking at £18m or £20m. Matt O’Riley is different class and he’s going to get better. He’s a wonderful player.”
Swans head coach Martin described O'Riley as a "fantastic" player in January and always felt the club could make a huge profit - as they did with Flynn Downes - on the midfielder had he moved to South Wales for the £1.5m asking price in the opening month of 2022.
READ NEXT:
