Atalanta admit Matt O'Riley transfer defeat as Italians 'lose patience' over Celtic star pursuit

Atalanta have reportedly finally admitted defeat in their bid to land Celtic midfield star Matt O'Riley with the Serie A side said to be on the verge of concluding a deal for their alternative target, Udinese's Serbia international Lazar Samardzic.

The Italians made FIVE bid for the former Denmark international with the most recent said to be in the region of £23million but the Parkhead side are holding out for more than that. That has seen the Europa League champions "lose patience" with Parkhead powerbrokers and end all interest in the 23-year-old former MK Dons star.

A report on Football Italia claims Atalanta "have decided to drop Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley and instead can conclude their swoop for Udinese and Serbia international star Lazar Samardzic". O'Riley had been Atalanta's first choice to replace Juventus-bound Teun Koopmeiners. Samardzic, at 22 - a year younger than O'Riley - is well known to the Bergamo-based club given his time in Serie A.

Samardzic is said to have been left out of Udinese's squad for their league opener against Bologna with a move imminent. The initial fee is reported to be in the region of £17m but will rise to £23m with various add-ons, making him a cheaper option than O'Riley.

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