Matt O'Riley: Atletico Madrid bid rejected by Celtic - Brendan Rodgers
- Published
Matt O'Riley was named player of the match when Celtic and Atletico drew last October in the Champions League
Manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Celtic rejected an offer from Atletico Madrid for Matt O'Riley and says no key players will be sold this month.
Denmark midfielder O'Riley joined two years ago for £1.5m and agreed a new deal in September that runs until 2027.
The 23-year-old has scored 10 goals and provided as many assists this season.
"There was [an offer] but Matt is a player we don't want to lose and he won't be going anywhere in January," Rodgers said.
"It's a great testament to him and what the club can do for a player. He won his first international cap this season and Atletico Madrid are a big club in European football.
"But he is very much part of what we are doing. He has been a joy to work with and I had a good chat with Matt on Thursday morning and he is someone who will be here for us in the second part of the season."
Atletico - fourth in La Liga, 11 points behind surprise leaders Girona - have reportedly offered a deal worth up to £20m, external for O'Riley, who moved to Celtic from MK Dons in January 2022.
Rodgers described Atletico's offer as "nowhere near" Celtic's valuation, but said the money was irrelevant with the club not needing to sell.
Diego Simeone's side played Celtic twice this season in the Champions League, inflicting a 6-0 thrashing in Spain but being held 2-2 in Glasgow in a game in which O'Riley excelled.
"He had an opportunity in the summer but he was very happy to extend here and obviously Atletico Madrid is a huge club but he also knows he is in a great place here," Rodgers added.
"He has really kicked on this season and he wants to continue with that."
When asked if it would take a special offer to persuade Celtic to sell any key players this month, Rodger said: "They won't be going, it's as simple as that.
"January is a difficult month anyway, whether it's bringing players in or looking to sell players. It's not something we want to do. We have no interest in that."
Nicolas Kuhn, who is Celtic's sole January signing so far, could make his debut against Ross County on Saturday.
Rodgers said work was continuing in an effort to add more new recruits in the final week of the window but nothing was imminent.
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