Atletico Madrid eye loan move for Celtic’s Matt O’Riley and are prepared to make permanent £20m move this summer… but face competition from Premier League rivals this month

Atletico Madrid are prepared to shell out £20million to land Matt O’Riley from Celtic in the summer.

Hamstrung by Financial Fair Play considerations, the Spanish giants want to sign the Parkhead midfielder on loan this month with an obligation to buy in the summer.

Mail Sport understands, however, that English Premier League sides are preparing to trigger a bidding war for the Danish international in the final week of the window.

While 23-year-old O’Riley is flattered by the interest of Diego Simeone, he won’t push for a move.

And, with little time left to line up a replacement before the end of January, Celtic have no desire to lose the man who has been their strongest performer this season.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone is seeking a loan deal with a £20m obligation to buy in summer

A £1.5million signing from MK Dons in January 2022, O’Riley recently signed a new, four-year bumper contract – and the Scottish champions have no financial imperative to sell.

With the title race likely to go to the wire, manager Brendan Rodgers sees him as a key member of his squad.

Surprise Spanish league leaders Girona are also keeping tabs on the Denmark international along with Inter Milan.

Atletico manager Simeone has already committed £23m to spend on Royal Antwerp’s teen sensation Arthur Vermeeren.

O’Riley recently signed a new, four-year bumper contract and Celtic have no need to sell him

Goalkeeper Horatiu Moldovan has recently arrived from Rapid Bucharest while Juventus attacker Moise Kean has been strongly linked.

Despite that, Simeone is still hopeful of landing O’Riley after seeing the player at close quarters in the Champions League this season.

Celtic also plan to repel any loan bids from England for winger Liel Abada. 

The Israeli international winger has come under pressure from his homeland over the pro-Palestinian stance of sections of the Celtic support.

Southampton, West Brom Albion and Watford are interested in a six-month loan to allow the player time to review his situation in the summer. Clubs in France and Germany are also interested.