Celtic transfer boost as Matt O'Riley 'alternative' emerges for Atlanta amid Hugo Bueno talks - Parkhead latest
The Italian side have had bids booted out for the Denmark international and could now look elsewhere
Atalanta have reportedly joined Galatasaray in showing interest in Norwich City midfielder star Gabriel Sara - and that could be a boost to Celtic as the Brazilian could be an alternative to Matt O’Riley.
The Italian side have been desperate to land the Hoops' Danish international with their latest offer of more than £15million kicks out by the Parkhead side. But the Europa League winners now appear to be weighing up alternatives amid a stand-off with Celtic. Corrielle dello Sport report that the Serie A side are ready to turn their attentions to Canaries ace Sara if they cannot strike a deal for O’Riley.
Sara’s current team-mate Adam Idah is still a Norwich player after Celtic had a bid rejected for the Republic of Ireland striker rejected earlier this month. Idah’s deadline day loan signing in January was met with an underwhelming response by Hoops fans, who were left less than impressed with the business done to strengthen Brendan Rodgers' squad.
But come the end of the season, Idah had shown his worth a capped a successful stint at Parkhead with a last gasp Scottish Cup Final winner against Rangers to secure a domestic double. Rodgers is keen to bring Idah back, but Norwich are keen to squeeze every pound they can if they are going to let the big Cork man leave Carrow Road. A fee of £8million has been floated and there seems to have been little movement on any potential Glasgow return.
The Hoops are also trying to sign left back Hugo Bueno on season-long loan from Wolves after failing to bring him to Glasgow in January. Both clubs are in talks over the move with Bueno falling behind Rayan Ait-Nouri at Molineux in the pecking order, with the Algerian international the clear first-choice under Gary O'Neil.
Meanwhile, cash-rich Urawa Red Diamonds have again been linked with a move for Kyogo. Reports in Japan earlier this summer claimed the Hoops hitman was the top target of the side as they prepared an ambitious bid to bring the frontman back to the J-League.
Japanese outlet The Sporting News claim that an offer is still being "considered" by Urawa for the Celtic hero after the exit of David Moberg. It is noted that the midfielder was allowed to join Aris Thessaloniki for nothing to free up wages for a fresh spending splurge - with Moberg on a reported £575,500-per-year salary.
If a bid is launched, it's unlikely Rodgers will green light a deal having already declared he wants more options up front rather than less. He has stated he wants three strikers in Celtic ’s attack for next season.
Oh Hyeon-gyu and Rocco Vata have both left in this window while a return for Adam Idah remains up in the air. Speaking during the Hoops' pre-season tour of America, the Parkhead boss said: “I think my ideal scenario was to have three, was to have Kyogo, one other one and bring through a young player."