Leicester City are in a strong position to beat Everton to the signing of Celtic star Matt O’Riley this summer, according to TEAMtalk.
The outlet reported on its website on Sunday (14 July) that although both the Toffees and Southampton are interested in the midfielder, the Foxes are in the driving seat to win the race for his signature.
Atalanta are also understood to be in the running for the Danish international, but Leicester hold an advantage over the Serie A raise as O’Riley is understood to be interested in making the move to the Premier League.
Celtic are set to demand more than their current club record sale of £25million before allowing the 23-year-old to depart Parkhead this summer.
Will Everton sign Celtic ace Matt O’Riley in the summer transfer window at Goodison Park?
There was always going to be plenty of competition for O’Riley’s signature this summer and at the moment it appears as though Everton have fallen behind the chasing pack in the race for the Danish star.
However, things can change very quickly in the transfer window and with Amadou Onana’s move to Aston Villa edging ever closer, the Toffees could well be in the market for a new central midfielder sooner rather than later.
Should the Belgian depart before Leicester can get a deal of O’Riley over the line, Sean Dyche’s side will have plenty of money to spend to try and beat the Foxes to his signature and that could put them back in the driving seat.
Until pen is put to paper on a contract at the King Power Stadium, Everton could still manage to sign the 23-year-old. Hopefully, they will find a way to leapfrog the competition as this is far too good a deal to miss out on.
This will be one to keep an eye on as the start of the Premier League season draws closer and closer.