Matt O'Riley Celtic transfer chase ramps up as La Liga leaders Girona make him top target

Celtic are braced for big money bids for Matt O’Riley after La Liga shock troops Girona placed the Hoops ace at the top of their wish list.

Record Sport understands Parkhead chiefs have not yet received an offer for the 23-year-old – and the club is not looking to cash in on the playmaker in this window. O’Riley has attracted attention from several sides in England, Italy and Spain after a spectacular two years in Glasgow following his £1.5m switch from MK Dons.

The attacking midfielder has been one of the stars of the season and Serie A big guns Inter Milan are among his admirers. But now Girona are poised to enter the race as they look to build on their sensational start to the season in Spain. The Catalonia outfit are part of the Manchester City backed City Football Group - where recruitment chief Mark Lawwell spent several years - and are understood to be able to stump up the considerable fee it would take to land O’Riley.

Girona are top of La Liga ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona and are looking to continue the title push. But a Champions League spot would still be within their grasp of they fell short in the fight with the Spanish mega clubs.

The Hoops accept O’Riley will depart at some stage but Brendan Rodgers has forged a close relationship with the youngster and is hoping to persuade the playmaker to remain at Parkhead until the end of the season. O’Riley was snapped up for a bargain price but Celts would be looking to land a monster fee when the time comes to move him on.

The Hoops pocketed £25m for Jota last season and in recent years punted Kieran Tierney to Arsenal for a similar fee, while the likes of Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard went for figures close to £20m. O’Riley is viewed in the same ball