Matt O’Riley’s international coach can ‘definitely see’ the midfielder playing in the Premier League amid interest from Newcastle.
The Celtic star was reportedly a target for the Magpies during the summer transfer window. ESPN reported that Newcastle were the most likely club to make a move for him. They added that a fee between £15million and £20million could tempt the Hoops into a sale.
But O’Riley remained in Scotland, where he is enjoying an impressive start to the season. Celtic are top of the league after seven games, two points ahead of rivals Rangers.
Ange Postecoglou’s side are also in the Champions League, and O’Riley more than held his own against European champions Real Madrid.
As well as shining for Celtic, O’Riley has also been playing for the Denmark Under-21s. He scored against Croatia on Tuesday night, and was watched on by Newcastle scouts.
They will have been impressed with what they saw, as they ponder possibly bringing him to the Premier League. And Denmark Under-21s head coach Jesper Sorensen believes he can handle the step up.
Jesper Sorensen on Matt O’Riley possibly going to the Premier League
Sorensen has spoke to The Herald, and was asked whether he thinks his form could lead to a move to England.
“I could definitely see that,” Sorensen said.
“Look at the steps he has been taking here and with Celtic, and also in the last six months with MK Dons.
“When you are a young player that makes such a huge leap in one year – while it won’t always go like that – I think you will see him progress further.
“He has an extremely good mentality, he always wants to improve. He always asks for information, he is always focused on what information we can give him and he can cope with the information given to him.
“He adapts very well, so why not? Why shouldn’t he be able to play in the Premier League?
“He is already playing for a very good team, and I can see why teams would be interested in him.”
Premier League the next natural step for O’Riley
Given how well he has done in Scotland, it is no surprise that O’Riley is being linked with a move back to England. And it will surely be to a Premier League club when a move does materialise.
That is not what Celtic fans will want to hear. They will not want to lose another one of their top stars to the Premier League.
But O’Riley’s form and potential might make them powerless to resist a big money offer from England. But will that come from Newcastle?
The Magpies were in the market for a centre-midfielder in the summer, and that will likely be the case again in January. Eddie Howe needs more creativity in the middle – someone who can provide goals and assists.
O’Riley is doing that this season, and already has five assists in the Scottish Premiership.
Sorensen thinks he has the ability to play in the Premier League, and Newcastle must think the same if they are continuing to scout him.
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