Matt O'Riley Brighton transfer fee expected to...

Matt O’Riley Brighton transfer fee expected to ‘shatter’ Celtic record as Seagulls… Read More

Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly preparing to break Celtic’s transfer record in their pursuit of Danish midfielder Matt O’Riley. After fending off multiple bids from various clubs, including five unsuccessful offers from Italian side Atalanta, Celtic are now facing strong interest from Brighton, who are keen on securing O’Riley’s signature before the transfer window closes.

Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, has made it clear that the club is not in a hurry to sell one of their key players, despite the increasing interest. The Glasgow giants have already turned down bids as high as £23.5 million for O’Riley, a player they believe is crucial to their current squad. However, Brighton’s willingness to surpass Celtic’s record transfer fee suggests that a deal could be imminent.

According to reports from the *Daily Mail*, Brighton are targeting O’Riley as a replacement for midfielder Billy Gilmour, who is on the verge of a move to Napoli. Brighton have indicated they are prepared to meet Celtic’s £25 million asking price, a sum that would surpass the club’s record transfer fees previously received for Kieran Tierney’s move to Arsenal and Jota’s transfer to Saudi club Al-Ittihad.

Brighton, who have been making a name for themselves with smart recruitment in recent years, are said to be confident in their ability to lure O’Riley to the Premier League. The Seagulls believe they can meet Celtic’s financial demands without any significant hurdles, which would likely make O’Riley their marquee signing of the summer.

Celtic, meanwhile, find themselves in a strong negotiating position. While they are open to offers, Rodgers has reiterated that the club is under no pressure to sell, especially with the new season well underway. However, should a deal be struck, the Scottish champions will need to move quickly to find a suitable replacement for O’Riley, whose contributions to the team have been significant.

Since joining Celtic from MK Dons in January 2022, O’Riley has established himself as a key figure in the team’s midfield. His performances have been characterized by creativity, energy, and an eye for goal, making him one of the standout players in the Scottish Premiership. Losing him would undoubtedly leave a gap in Celtic’s midfield, and Rodgers and the club’s recruitment team would need to act fast to fill the void.

To this end, Celtic have reportedly been monitoring potential replacements, with Augsburg’s Arne Engels and Lausanne-Sport’s Alvyn Sanches emerging as possible candidates. Both players are highly rated in their respective leagues, and Celtic could make a move if O’Riley departs.

The interest from Brighton is part of a broader trend where English Premier League clubs have increasingly looked to Scotland for talent, recognizing the potential of players who have honed their skills in the Scottish Premiership. Celtic, for their part, have become adept at selling players at premium prices, leveraging the success of their domestic and European campaigns to maximize their returns.

As the transfer window approaches its final stages, the situation surrounding O’Riley is one to watch closely. Brighton’s determination to land the player, combined with Celtic’s reluctance to sell, could set the stage for one of the biggest transfer deals in Scottish football history. For now, Celtic are holding firm, but with Brighton ready to spend big, the lure of the Premier League could prove too strong for O’Riley to resist.