‘A lot of interest’: £20m man says he has now been contacted about a transfer, amid reports Liverpool want him

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Reported Liverpool transfer target Matt O’Riley has claimed that there’s ‘a lot’ of interest in him at the end of the transfer window.

Speaking to Danish outlet Bold, O’Riley said he has already been subject to ‘enquiries’ from several teams. There have been claims he’s wanted by Liverpool.

“Yes, some of the clubs have enquired about me. However, I cannot say which clubs it is,” said the 21-year-old midfielder.

O’Riley gave the interest short shrift though, announcing his intention to stay at current club Celtic.

“‎But while it’s great to know there’s a lot of interest in me, I only have one thing in mind and that’s to do well for Celtic.‎ I have no plans to leave Celtic, so if nothing happens, nothing happens, and that’s fine,” he said.

“I’m really happy to be at the club, where we will also play in the Champions League, which I’m really looking forward to. That’s huge.‎ I’m surprised by the interest from those clubs, so it’s crazy to think about if something were to happen.

“But if it doesn’t get more concrete, then that’s just news to me. ‎So I’m conscious and have heard about the interest from some of the big clubs, but I have to admit it’s not something that I think much about.”

Liverpool in for O’Riley?

Despite O’Riley’s claims, you’d think that if Liverpool were really interested in him, he’d be at least consider the move. Celtic would reportedly be tempted to sell him at around the £20m mark (ESPN). That wouldn’t be a problem for Liverpool.

Liverpool aren’t looking for a midfielder simply to make up the numbers at the moment. Jurgen Klopp has been insistent that any player brought in must be the ‘right’ player who can have an impact in the first-team.

The Reds’ midfield is currently entering something of a transition period. They’re looking to bed-in young players like Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Fabio Carvalho.

In that landscape, O’Riley would surely be given ample game time to stake his claim. At just twenty-one, he’d represent a move for now and for the future.

Perhaps this window comes too soon, though. The Denmark U21 international did just sign for Celtic last January after all.

Maybe a more realistic scenario is that Liverpool keep an eye on his progress throughout this season before weighing up a move next summer.

With Celtic in the Champions League, it might be worth Reds’ fans tuning in to the Scottish Champions to see what all the fuss is about.

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