Daniel Kelly Celtic pre-season absence explained by Brendan Rodgers as Atalanta ready improved Matt O'Riley offer

Atalanta are ready to up the ante in their bid to land Celtic star Matt O’Riley.

Record Sport Online revealed that the Europa League winners had opened talks with the Hoops but an initial offer of around £16million was instantly dismissed. The Serie A outfit are set to make an improved bid but their offer will need to improve dramatically as it is currently well below Celtic’s valuation. The Scottish champions will hope to eclipse the club record fee of £25m they got for winger Jota.

The clubs in the fight for O’Riley right now are unlikely to hit that level with Southampton prepared to go to £20m and long-term admirers Atletico Madrid watching. The Spaniards had a loan with an option to buy turned down in January but could come back in if Saul Niguez, in talks with Seville, is sold. Saints are appealing to O’Riley as he previously worked with boss Russell Martin at MK Dons.

Meanwhile, Parkhead gaffer Brendan Rodgers has revealed Daniel Kelly won’t be part of Celtic’s pre-season plans after failing to pen a new deal. The 18-year-old’s contract is up on December 31 and the hot prospect is being tracked by several clubs including Bayer Leverkusen.

The Hoops have already seen Rocco Vata jump ship for Watford but are hoping to persuade Kelly to stay. Rodgers insisted Celtic have offered the kid a bumper package and urged the midfielder to remain at the club. But he admitted he can’t involve him in his build up to the new campaign with the uncertainty.

Rodgers said: “There’s no impasse as Daniel, like Rocco, he has been offered a deal which is valued and, with the greatest respect, I have worked with young players and I know the levels of young players and where they’re at from a technical perspective and a