According to HITC, West Ham has discussed signing Matt O’Riley from Celtic during the summer window.
Journalist Graeme Bailey reported on July 2 via the outlet’s website that the Hammers have already expressed interest in a potential trade for the Parkhead midfielder, who is drawing significant interest from both the Premier League and Europe.
Celtic want a club-record sale of £30million to let him go, surpassing the £25m fee they brought in to sell Jota, a January Hammers target, last summer, with Southampton currently closest but still some way off in wanting a £20m deal.
The Irons and the Saints are competing with Fulham, Everton and Brentford within the Premier League, as well as the likes of Atletico Madrid, Monaco, Atalanta and Lyon.
West Ham want Celtic midfield signing for Julen Lopetegui
The Irons midfield may be one of the more well-stocked areas of a squad that requires plenty of work, but that didn’t stop David Moyes pushing to add Kalvin Phillips to it in January.
The Scot’s exit to be replaced by Julen Lopetegui was always likely to lead to changes, with the likes of Tomas Soucek potentially at risk after being a favourite of the former manager.
Last summer’s signing from Ajax Edson Alvarez was also linked to a Manchester United exit [Florian Plettenberg, 22 June] before he was hit by injury in the Copa America with Mexico.
O’Riley, after a campaign where he scored 19 goals and laid on 18 assists from central midfield across all competitions, as Celtic secured a league and cup double, including their third successive Scottish Premiership, has impressed widely.
So Brendan Rodgers’ side may be able to hold out for a maximum fee this summer, despite the 23-year-old’s surprise omission from the Denmark squad for Euro 2024.
Tim Steidten has publicly indicated that there is money to spend [Daily Mail, 1 July], so if the Hammers want to push for O’Riley it is potentially doable, but when strikers, more support attackers, and multiple defenders are also on the cards it may mean £30m is more than they wish to spend.
