Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley has become one of the most talked-about players of the summer transfer window, attracting interest from top clubs in both Italy and England…
Among the suitors, Serie A’s Atalanta initially led the charge, aggressively pursuing the Denmark international with five bids, all of which were rejected by Celtic. Despite their efforts, Atalanta has now cooled its interest after failing to meet Celtic’s valuation.
Southampton also expressed serious interest in O’Riley in July, reportedly considering a Scottish-record bid. However, their pursuit has similarly waned in recent weeks.
Brighton Emerges as Front-Runner for O’Riley
As Atalanta and Southampton step back, Brighton & Hove Albion has emerged as the leading contender to sign O’Riley. The Premier League club has made a formal bid for the Celtic star, with their CEO, Paul Barber, addressing the club’s interest publicly for the first time.
Brighton’s CEO Addresses Transfer Speculation
Speaking to Jim White on talkSPORT, Barber was asked directly about Brighton’s pursuit of O’Riley and the likelihood of a deal being struck with Celtic. While careful not to disclose specifics, Barber acknowledged Brighton’s ongoing efforts to strengthen their squad.
“Well, I don’t want to talk about other club’s players, Jim, that wouldn’t be appropriate. But you know, we’re always looking to try and strengthen our squad where we can.
“And we’ve done a lot of work this summer to try and give Fabian Hurzeler the best chance of doing well in the Premier League this year. Lots of clubs are investing in their squads and improving their squads, and we know it’s going to be another very competitive season.”
Celtic Stands Firm on £30m Valuation
With less than two weeks remaining in the transfer window, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers faces a battle to retain O’Riley. The Parkhead club is reportedly holding firm on a £30 million valuation for the midfielder, indicating they are not willing to let him go for anything less.
As the transfer window edges closer to its conclusion, the saga surrounding O’Riley’s future is set to continue, with Celtic fans anxiously awaiting the outcome. Brighton’s pursuit appears far from over, ensuring that the speculation around the Celtic star will persist until a deal is either finalised or the window closes.
