West Ham United ready to sign Matt O’Riley before

West Ham United ready to sign Matt O’Riley before 16 August as new transfer twist emerges

West Ham are ready to enter into negotiations for Matt O’Riley and reach an agreement with Celtic before the Premier League season starts on Friday (16 August), according to Caught Offside.

The online source reported [5 August] that, alongside Leicester, the Hammers are showing a strong interest in the 23-year-old midfielder despite hesitancy over the £25million asking price.

Atalanta are also interested in signing O’Riley, having had multiple bids rejected by the Scottish club, and Julen Lopetegui’s side are now prepared to make an offer.

West Ham United to sign Celtic star Matt O’Riley?

The 23-year-old is a hugely exciting player, currently plying his trade in the Scottish Premiership with Celtic, but has already proven himself at a much higher level.

Despite the Hoops crashing out of last season’s Champions League group stage, he was a star player with assists against Lazio, Atletico Madrid and Feyenoord, and has continued that form into the new season.

While Brendan Rodgers will not want to see the midfield maestro leave Celtic Park this summer, it will be difficult for the club to turn down an offer of £25million if it is to come from the Premier League.

He has already bagged an assist after Celtic’s league opener against Kilmarnock on Sunday 4 August, form that has prompted several European clubs to keep an eye on him.

O’Riley has also earned a call-up to the Denmark national team, winning two caps in recent seasons and playing alongside the likes of Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund.

Beating the other interested sides to O’Riley’s signature this summer would certainly be a statement signing, especially after notching 19 goals and 18 assists in all competitions last term.

The Hammers have already splashed the cash on signing Wolves’ Max Kilman, Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras and Leeds United star Crysencio Summerville, but the Celtic star could be the final piece of the transfer window puzzle at the London Stadium.