The rumours are flying thick and fast of potential arrivals at Saints and the latest one is linking Celtic's 22 year old midfielder Matt O'Riley with a move to either Leeds United or Southampton.

This one is via skysports.com and they are saying that Leeds are interested in Matt O'Riley and that Southampton could make an approach as well.

But are they putting two and two together due to O'Riley's close links to Southampton manager Russell Martin.

It was Martin who took O'Riley to MK Dons in January 2021, when the player was without a club after being released by Fulham, he also tried to sign him from MK Dons for Swansea, but the player went to Celtic in January 2022, despite citing Martin as a big influence in his development.

Since then O'Riley has been a regular starter in Celtic's first team and has started all three of their Scottish Premiership matches this season.

Now he is linked with a move back to England with both Leeds and Saints said to be in the hunt, the only question though is that after Will Smallbone signing a new deal, Southampton are not short on central midfielders, they also have the recently arrival on loan Flynn Downes as well as Shea Charles and Stuart Armstrong, all four are proven at Championship level and above.

So it hard to see just what we would gain from O'Riley signing.

Ironically although he sounds like he should be playing for the Republic of Ireland, he was born in Hounslow, he has a Danish mother and could play for either England, Ireland, Denmark or Norway, although he has represented England at youth level, he has played for Denmark U21's over the past year.

Photo: Action Images

Bowlercow added 21:04 - Aug 29 Roll on Saturday when all these rumours can stop for a few months
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davenbennett added 10:07 - Aug 30 We have a strong CMF already with Downes, Smallbone and Charles fighting for 2 places. Unless he replaces Alcaraz. We are also rumoured to be after MC's McAtee. He did well in Championship last year. That's a higher quality than Highland Pub League that is SPL. Aribo, Ely spring to mind.
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