Atalanta have initiated discussions with Celtic regarding a potential transfer, preparing a second offer after their initial bid was declined.
Celtic’s highest previous sale was £25 million, paid by Al-Ittihad for Jota last year, matched by Kieran Tierney’s transfer to Arsenal for the same amount.
Steve Cooper is focusing on signing a new central midfielder this summer, following the departure of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea.
Despite their promotion from the Championship last season, Leicester City are anticipated to struggle against relegation, despite their ambitious transfer plans.
Champions League clubs are also interested in O’Riley, complicating Leicester’s efforts to secure his signature.
Leicester are in a challenging financial situation but are eager to close a deal quickly to outpace their rivals.
Former Celtic forward Frank McAvennie told Football Insider that O’Riley would prefer a move to a top club rather than one battling relegation.
O’Riley is viewed as the perfect replacement for Dewsbury-Hall, expected to provide goals and assists from midfield, but the high interest in him complicates the transfer.
Last season, O’Riley was named Celtic’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season, with 19 goals and 18 assists, helping secure the League and Scottish Cup.
New Leicester manager Cooper is determined to bolster his squad to fight relegation.
The club’s situation is exacerbated by the potential threat of a points deduction, which former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider could be as severe as 12 points.
