After finishing sixth in the 2023/24 Serie A season after improving immediately under the management of club icon Daniele De Rossi, Roma are on the hunt for more star talent to add to Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala.
Much of that search has focused on Juventus stars Federico Chiesa and Matias Soule, but Roma are also exploring less orthodox options with potentially more upside compared to cost.
One of those players is Celtic attacking midfielder Matt O’Riley who posted some jaw-dropping numbers and is highly touted in the Scottish Premiership.
Gian Piero Gasperini and Atalanta are also keen on O’Riley, and, as everyone can tell, the men in Bergamo have some of the best talent ID in world football; Roma are in good company.
According to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Andrea Elefante, Celtic are currently asking for just 25 million euros in order to sell O’Riley to one of the two Serie A powers this summer.
Celtic would reportedly like to receive more compensation for their midfield gem, but it could take just that modest amount for Roma to sign another playmaker to add to Dybala and Pellegrini.
Roma fans should be encouraged that the club is taking a long look at a young player who scored 18 goals with 13 assists last season in league play while contributing positively in defense with 2 tackles per game.
O’Riley and Pellegrini could be quite the tandem in the midfield. Furthermore, O’Riley showed quality at the Champions League level with a whopping 3.5 combined tackles and interceptions per game to go with more great playmaking with 3 assists in 6 appearances. As in league play, he averaged 2.5 key passes per game in Europe’s premier competition.
Roma can probably only sign one of Soule or O’Riley for the playmaking role this summer, and if O’Riley ends up being cheaper, he could be a better option instead of going for the bonus of hurting Juve with Soule and Dybala.
