Demir Ege Tiknaz to Celtic transfer takes a twist as Champions League regulars go back in for Matt O'Riley
Besiktas midfielder Demir Ege Tiknaz is NOT a summer transfer target for Celtic - according to a report.
Over the weekend, sources in Turkey had linked the Hoops with a move for the €10million (£8.4million) rated player, who will return to the Turkish capital next month after spending last season on loan with Rio Ave in Portugal.
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Tiknaz, 20, is a product of the Beskitas' youth academy and has already picked up two domestic cup medals with his boyhood club.
READ MORE: Celtic book medical for striker as Kyogo set for emotional homecoming – transfer bulletin
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However, the Hoops' interest in the Turkey U21 international has now been completely shot down.
CeltsAreHere claim that Tiknaz is not on the transfer radar at Lennoxtown even though boss Brendan Rodgers and his recruitment team are keen to bolster their ranks in the middle third of the pitch.
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The Irishman is also very keen to recruit a new striker to help fill the void left by Kyogo Furuhashi's £10million departure to Rennes back in January.
Slovan Bratislava's David Strelec and Royal Antwerp frontman Michel-Ange Balikwisha have both been linked, with Celtic seeing a £7million bid for the former knocked back in the winter window.
Elsewhere, Matt O'Riley could be on the move again less than 12 months after making a big money move to Brighton from Celtic Park.
The Denmark international banked the Hoops £25million when he joined the Seagulls last August after two and a half prolific seasons in Glasgow's East End.
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However, despite scoring a winning goal against reigning league champions Manchester City, a combination of injuries and a lack of form saw the playmaker struggle to hold down a regular starting berth in Fabian Hurzeler's side.
O'Riley has already been touted as a potential target for Serie A giants Roma and La Gazzetta dello Sport (Europa Calcio) now report that Atalanta are back in for the former Fulham kid.
Matt O'Riley -Credit:AP
The 2024 Europa League winners were heavily linked with O'Riley last summer before he opted to make the move down south with Brighton.
Atalanta will have a new man in the dugout next season after replacing Gian Piero Gasperini - who has taken up the reins at Roma - with ex Southampton boss Ivan Juric.
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Celtic fans will be keeping a keen eye on the situation, with the Hoops reportedly holding a 10 per cent sell on clause - on O'Riley's next transfer.
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