Atalanta ready FIFTH Matt O'Riley bid as Brendan Rodgers sees path clear for £4.7m replacement - Celtic transfer state of play

Celtic are reportedly bracing for a fifth Atalanta bid for key midfielder Matt O'Riley - with the Serie A side set to improve on the £20m offer that was turfed out.

Atalanta have had their sights set on O'Riley all window but Celtic have stuck to their guns, with boss Brendan Rodgers adamant they are under no pressure to sell. The ball is firmly in the Hoops' court, with Brighton, Chelsea and Southampton among the queue of clubs keen down south, while Atletico Madrid and Inter on the continent have shown interest in the past.

It's Atalanta who have made the firmest approaches so far with four bids, the first worth around £14m and the latest in the region of £20m, tabled. But none of those have been enough to move the needle with Celtic holding out for a club record offer. Now, it's being reported by Sky Sports that they are set to come back to the table with yet another bid - hoping this one will be enough to get their man at the fifth time of asking.

Speaking on O'Riley on Sunday, Rodgers said replacing him would be no easy task. O'Riley racked up 37 goal-involvements last season, and has been an ever-present in their impressive pair of wins over Kilmarnock and Hibs during a flawless start to this season.

After downing Hibs 2-0, Rodgers said: "I don't think we can replace like-for-like. He's had three years growing to get to where he is now. If he did leave, to get someone like that straight away would be very difficult. If he did go, it would be for big money and obviously we won't be spending that straight on one player.

"I'm not overthinking it. He's a gifted player that I love working with. He really enjoys his time here at Celtic and we'll just see, day by day. But while he's here, the concentration is on