Adefunmiloye Alani

Fri 21 January 2022 9:10, UK

Matt O’Riley snubbed the chance to join West Brom and completed a move to Celtic despite a better contract, according to The Athletic.

The 21-year-old midfielder joined the Scottish Premiership giants from League One outfit MK Dons on Thursday, but the Baggies attempted a last-gasp move to land him.

However, despite their terms, O’Riley wanted the best fit for his career, choosing career progression and rejecting the chance to join the promotion bid at The Hawthorns.

Blow?

It speaks volumes that the former England youth international was not willing to move to Albion.

While O’Riley knows a move to Celtic will keep his development going, West Brom were clearly not convincing enough, and their form all season-long could have played a huge role.

Valerien Ismael could do with more quality additions this month after landing Daryl Dike, and someone that had started every game in League One in 2021-22 and weighed in with seven goals and five assists in 26 games would have been a massive addition.

Antwerp, Bordeaux, PSV Eindhoven, Torino, Sassuolo and Venezia were all keen, while O’Riley also caught the eyes of Liverpool, Burnley and Newcastle United [The Athletic].

While the Baggies might not have had a chance against the Premier League trio, Celtic should not have beaten them to his signature.

Their better terms were not enough to lure the youngster, and they now have to look elsewhere.

With around 10 days left in the window, West Brom do not have a lot of time on their hands.

In other West Brom news, a club has given the green light as Baggies eye January move for int’l striker

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