Juventus have initiated a disruptive maneuver for Matt O’Riley, the 23-year-old Danish midfielder from Celtic. This move comes as Atalanta refuse to lower their asking price of €60 million for Teun Koopmeiners, prompting Juventus’ Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli to explore alternative options.
TMW report that O’Riley, who scored an impressive 18 goals as a midfielder in the last Scottish Premier League season, has become Atalanta’s primary target should Koopmeiners depart. Atalanta’s initial offer of €15 million for O’Riley was rejected by Celtic, who are demanding €30 million for the London-born player with Danish heritage.
Recent developments indicate that Giuntoli has made direct contact with Celtic to express Juventus’ interest in O’Riley and inquire about the financial details of a potential deal. This move appears to be a strategic play by Juventus, either to secure an alternative to Koopmeiners or to pressure Atalanta into lowering their demands.
The situation surrounding Koopmeiners remains complex. The Dutch midfielder has publicly expressed his desire to leave Atalanta, stating, “I have told Atalanta that I want to leave the club in the summer. I hope there will be options to consider this year… I’ve had an amazing time at Atalanta and I hope they will get a big sum.
While Juventus maintains interest in Koopmeiners, they face competition from Premier League clubs. Additionally, incoming Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who previously worked with Koopmeiners at AZ Alkmaar, has reportedly placed the midfielder at the top of his transfer list.
