Sport nationBrighton and Hove Albion is on the verge of breaking the Scottish transfer record to secure the services of Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley. The Seagulls have submitted a formal bid to Celtic, with sources indicating that the Premier League side is willing to pay in excess of £25 million to land the coveted midfielder.
O’Riley has been the subject of intense transfer speculation throughout the summer, with several top-tier clubs vying for his signature. Atalanta, the Europa League winners, had been leading the chase for the 23-year-old Danish international, but their interest has cooled after Celtic rejected a series of lowball offers.
The Serie A side’s most recent bid, which totaled £21.5 million plus a further £2 million in add-ons, fell short of Celtic’s valuation of the player. With Atalanta now out of the running, Brighton has emerged as the frontrunner to sign O’Riley.
The Seagulls’ manager, Fabian Hurzeler, has identified O’Riley as a key target as he reshapes his squad for the upcoming season. Brighton’s interest in the midfielder is understandable, given his impressive performances for Celtic last season.
O’Riley has been a mainstay of the Celtic midfield, scoring crucial goals and providing assists for his teammates. His impressive displays have earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting young midfielders in the Scottish Premiership.
Despite the intense transfer speculation surrounding him, O’Riley has continued to play his part for Celtic, showing no signs of agitating for a move. His professionalism and mentality have been praised by Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, who has spoken highly of the midfielder’s attitude and work ethic.
Rodgers has acknowledged that O’Riley is a key player for Celtic, but has also stated that the club needs another player in his position. The Celtic manager has expressed his desire to strengthen his squad further, with O’Riley’s potential departure likely to pave the way for new signings.
If Brighton succeeds in signing O’Riley, it could have a knock-on effect on the future of Billy Gilmour. The Scotland midfielder has been identified as a key target for Napoli’s new manager, Antonio Conte, and Brighton’s interest in O’Riley could lead to Gilmour’s departure.
Gilmour has been a regular fixture in the Brighton squad since joining the club, but the Seagulls’ interest in O’Riley could lead to a rethink on the midfielder’s future. With Napoli keen to sign Gilmour, Brighton may be willing to let him go if they can secure O’Riley’s services.
Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers believes that the club is in a stronger position than last year, despite the potential departure of O’Riley. The defender has praised the squad’s depth and quality, saying that Celtic can improve further with consistency.
Celtic has started the season well, winning their opening two games and reaching the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup. The Hoops’ impressive displays have been built on a solid foundation, with Rodgers’ side showing a marked improvement from last season.
The potential departure of O’Riley could be a blow to Celtic’s ambitions, but the club is confident that they can replace him with quality signings. With Brighton leading the chase for the midfielder, Celtic is bracing itself for a significant bid.
If the Seagulls succeed in signing O’Riley, it will be a major coup for the club. The midfielder’s signing will be a statement of intent from Brighton, who are looking to establish themselves as a top-half Premier League side.
The transfer window is still open, and Brighton’s interest in O’Riley is likely to be the subject of much speculation in the coming days. With Celtic valuing the midfielder at £25 million, the Seagulls will need to meet that price to secure his services.
If they do, it will be a record-breaking transfer for a Scottish club, surpassing the £25 million Arsenal paid for Kieran Tierney in 2019. The potential signing of O’Riley will be a major talking point in the coming days, with Brighton and Celtic fans eagerly awaiting the outcome of the transfer negotiations.
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