And today’s news, as reported via Fabrizio Romano, strongly suggests this will not be the case, with the Premier League club having just spent £25m on another midfielder, Brajan Gruda from German club Mainz. Gruda has been Brighton’s “dream target”. and now they have his man.
“Brajan Gruda to Brighton, let’s go! Deal fit for German midfielder to leave Mainz and sign up to BHAFC project. £25m fee verbally agreed and long-term deal for Gruda expected to be signed as soon as Hürzeler wanted. As revealed weeks ago, Gruda was the dream target for Brighton,” reports Fabrizio Romano.
Brajan Gruda in Brighton, here we come! Agreement in conditions that the German midfielder leaves Mainz and enrolls in the #BHAFC project.
Orally agreed £25m fee and long-term deal for Gruda, to be signed as soon as Hürzeler wishes.
As revealed weeks ago, Gruda is a dream target for Brighton. pic. twitter. com/owrOBG9W7e
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 13, 2024
In fact, it turns out that Matt O’Riley has been Brighton’s backup plan and if this news, as is likely, means that they are out of the running for the Celtic midfielder who is also valued at £25m, then that seems to be the case. move to Atalanta.
Chelsea would have been interested, however, by signing up for some Chelsea ITK accounts, to receive daily email updates, we can verify that Matt O’Riley’s call was NOT discussed at all.
That leaves Atalanta, who are expected to return to Celtic soon with a fifth offer, which once again fell below the asking value and was temporarily rejected. The Europa League winners are interested in their own players but need to cover replacements before they conclude, but time is running out.
Celtic will NOT sell for less than their asking value, especially after having to give in to Norwich City’s sale value for Adam Idah yesterday, a move that is welcome.
So if Atalanta fail to raise £25m, the chances of Celtic retaining O’Riley for some other season, or at least until the January window, are slightly higher this morning.
With their intended rivals Brighton out of the race, Atalanta would possibly feel that their own chances have increased as the sole bidder in the city as things stand. They would possibly have felt that his most recent offer, probably around £22 million, would have been enough to trap Michael Nicholson to do business. But they had and will have to pay the requested value or withdraw. I hope it is the last.
Altalanta has no history of winning trophies other than the Europa League with a team that is not rebuilding after transfers. Was 1961 the last time you lifted cutlery? The Europa League triumph is exceptional, there is no doubt about that. Either way, this also takes them into the Champions League for this season.
But Matt could do a lot more than that, as he was connected with Atletico Madrid in January. One more year at Celtic, with an appearance in the Champions League, could provide him with a level more suitable to shine. It is worth thinking about, my son.
Brajan Gruda to Brighton, let’s go! Agreement in conditions for the German midfielder to leave Mainz and join the #BHAFC project.
£25 million fee agreed verbally and long-term agreement for Gruda, to be signed as soon as Hürzeler wishes.
As revealed weeks ago, Gruda is a dream target for Brighton. pic. twitter. com/owrOBG9W7e
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 13, 2024
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Serie A side Atalanta have made a fifth offer to Celtic for Matt O’Riley.
Drum roll please. . . rejected.
Atalanta will sell Koopmeiners to Juve until they have his replacement at the door.
[@DiMarzio] pic. twitter. com/AksrftVR0k
– All Celtic (@aboutceltic) August 12, 2024
Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Atalanta submitted a new offer for Celtic’s Matt O’Riley last night. Let’s hope this offer closes the deal. pic. twitter. com/d4YfMWihjS
— Atalanta BC News (@AtalantaBC_News) August 13, 2024
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