Everton interested in signing Matt O’Riley, one year after £25m Celtic exit | OneFootball

David Moyes is targeting a move for ex-Celtic favourite Matt O’Riley just twelve months after he left Glasgow for Brighton. The Everton manager is preparing for his first full season in charge of the Merseyside club in his second spell and is looking to strengthen his squad.

O’Riley has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot owing to an injury on his debut. However, he has impressed in the 23 appearances that he has made, assisting on 3 occasions and scoring 2 goals – including one from the spot against Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, in what could be the Australians last game in charge of the North London club.

Sky Sports are reporting that Everton are interested in signing the player, although it remains to be seen whether the Seagulls accept an offer to sell the 24-year-old.

The report states that Brighton believe that O’Riley can play a significant role next season as he adapts to life on the south coast of England.

Matt O’Riley of Brighton & Hove Albion in action. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Ange signed O’Riley for £1.5m in the January of 2022 with the MK Dons youngster helping Celtic overtake Rangers in a memorable midweek Glasgow Derby win and then hold onto the top spot for the next two seasons, leaving Celtic with three league titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup.

The Danish Internationalist completed a £25m+ move in the summer after an incredible individual season, which concluded with Brendan Rodgers’ side winning a League and Cup Double. O’Riley left Celtic having made 124 appearances, scoring 27 times and assisting on 35 occasions.

A number of clubs were in the running for O’Riley’s signature but it was the Seagulls that managed to get the deal over the line. You would imagine that a number of these teams would still be interested in signing the player and Everton are certainly an interesting option.

Everton, who are moving to a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, turned to Moyes after Sean Dyche failed to keep them out of a relegation scrap and the Scottish manager comfortably navigated The Toffees to safety.

Celtic will be interested in proceedings given that the club likely include a sell-on clause in player sales. This clause will result in a £5.5m fee headed into the club accounts after Liverpool signed Jeremie Frimpong. It remains to be seen what fee is discussed but you wouldn’t be surprised if Everton are asked to pay at least £10m more than Brighton paid Celtic for the player.