Celtic see Matt O'Riley transfer resolve tested by Atalanta AGAIN as Europa League winners ramp up offer

Atalanta have reportedly ramped up their interest in Celtic star Matt O'Riley with a big-money second bid.

The Danish international is in-demand this summer with Juventus the latest top club to be touted with a move -with Inter and Atletico Madrid also among the 23-year-old's long-term admirers while Record Sport revealed Southampton have readied an offer of £20m plus incentives. However, movement in Turin appears to have sparked their Serie A rivals back into transfer action.

La Gazzetta dello Sport state that Atalanta have not been put off my the initial rejection of an offer from Celtic and have submitted a second offer in a bid to tempt the Scottish Premiership champions into a sale before a bidding war breaks out. They Hoops are said to have previously knocked back an offer of €15million (£12.6million) plus bonuses of €3million (£2.5million).

The Europa League winners are said to have returned with a bid of €18million (£15.1million) with the same fees in bonus added to the deal. It is noted that Celtic have already told Atalanta they won't accept less than €27million (£22million) if they are to part with their prize asset.

It is claimed that O'Riley "appreciates the interest" and "would be interested" in a move to the Italian side - who are said to be confident that a "deal in principle" can be agreed soon with Teun Koopmeiners likely to leave the Bergamo outfit.