Matt O'Riley has been the subject of transfer speculation throughout the summer window so far, with the likes of Liverpool, Juventus and Atalanta reportedly keen to pry the 23-year-old from Celtic.
Fellow countryman and new Parkhead signing Kasper Schmeichel wants the midfielder to stay put – "I'm trying everything, trust me!" he was quoted saying yesterday – but as interest elsewhere endures, another player seems increasingly worth watching in the midst of it all: Teun Koopmeiners.
The Dutch midfielder is currently contracted at Atalanta, the same Serie A side who've officially lodged at least two seemingly low-ball bids for O'Riley.
Koopmeiners is also a target of Juventus, and, as it emerged last night, Liverpool are likewise seemingly interested in the 26-year-old's signature under new manager, Arne Slot.
Juventus fan sites are now full of speculation, hopeful that O'Riley, should he choose to leave Celtic, indeed opts for Atalanta – in theory clearing the way for Koopmeiners to Turin.
Read more:
- Schmeichel urges O'Riley to stay: 'I’m trying everything'
- 'No team near value': Brendan Rodgers slams Matt O'Riley interest
"Our focus is on Koopmeiners," reads a comment piece on Juve FC, "and it would be good if Atalanta signed Matt O’Riley because that would make signing the Dutchman easier."
The fact that Liverpool, Juventus and Atalanta are all interested in O'Riley, as well as the fact that the former two also appear interested in Koopmeiners, paints an interesting path ahead with four weeks of the summer transfer window remaining.
Ultimately, where Koopmeiners lands could influence O'Riley's direction, with the Dutchman staying put at Atalanta possibly the most appealing for Celtic fans.
In any event, here's The Celtic Way's take on the situation – exploring the 23-year-old's options, and making the same case as Schmeichel for O'Riley extending his stay in Glasgow's east end.
