In an exciting turn of events, Brighton & Hove Albion have reportedly clinched a deal with Celtic to secure the talented midfielder Matt O’Riley. The 23-year-old shone bright for Celtic in the 2023-24 season, being named the club’s Player of the Year and finishing as the joint-top scorer with 19 goals and 18 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions.
O’Riley’s impressive performances did not go unnoticed, with several clubs from around Europe expressing interest in the Denmark international. Atletico Madrid was keen on acquiring him in January, but a proposed £20m move to La Liga fell through. Atalanta BC also pursued O’Riley vigorously, but Celtic turned down multiple offers, including a substantial bid of £21.5m plus add-ons.
Despite interest from Premier League giants like Chelsea and Southampton, Brighton emerged as the frontrunners in the race for O’Riley’s signature. Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Brighton has reached an agreement with Celtic for a potential fee of up to £30m, setting a new transfer record for a Scottish club.
While the finer details of the deal are still being ironed out, there is optimism that the transfer will be finalized over the weekend. O’Riley, who is believed to have agreed to a five-year contract with Brighton, trained with Celtic ahead of their upcoming fixture against St Mirren.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers remained tight-lipped about O’Riley’s future, stating that there were offers on the table but no new developments to announce. Rodgers emphasized the need for clarity on player transfers to avoid distractions during crucial matches.
In another significant development, Brighton is also said to have struck a deal with Fenerbahce for the acquisition of Turkish left-back Ferdi Kadioglu for £30m. The Seagulls are evidently making bold moves in the transfer market to bolster their squad for the upcoming season.
