Roma set for discussions with Brighton for former Celtic Star Matt O’Riley | OneFootball

Brighton and Hove Albion are prepared to enter discussions over a transfer for former Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley…

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

The Premier League side is open to considering bids for the ex-Hoops midfielder during the summer transfer window which opened on Monday.

The 24 year-old moved from Celtic last summer for approximately £25 million but has found it difficult to secure a regular spot in Brighton’s starting lineup. The attacking midfielder featured in 21 league games for Fabian Hurzeler’s side last season, but an injury sidelined him for the first 10 fixtures of the campaign.

O’Riley, who has represented Denmark four times, is now reportedly considering a move from Brighton to Serie A club Roma. According to Il Messaggero, Roma is keen to sign the midfielder this summer after failing to secure his transfer last year.

Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of Atalanta BC looks on prior to the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Udinese Calcio at Gewiss Stadium on March 04, 2023 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma’s newly appointed boss, admired O’Riley during his time at Atalanta and had aimed to bring him in before Premier League clubs showed interest. Reports suggest the coach remains interested in O’Riley, with Brighton said not to be considering him essential for the upcoming season and open to negotiations, while Roma are optimistic about securing the Denmark international’s transfer.

O’Riley has recently expressed that he is “not completely happy” with his role at Brighton and would rather play in a different position under Hurzeler’s management.

Matt O’Riley of Celtic celebrates scoring our second goal with teammates during the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on April 07, 2024. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“I am not completely happy, and I am just giving my opinion,” he said, concerning his on-field position within the Brighton manager’s tactical setup.

“It makes it difficult to show off when you play a position you are not completely happy with. I can play better for the team if I play the number 8 position, but I can play well in other positions. You can say it in a way that is not aggressive. If you are honest with another person, you don’t lose anything. The coach can always say he doesn’t agree.”

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Or alternative he decides to move you on, Matt! An early transfer away from Brighton, who would be lucky to recoup their £25m investment in the player they purchased from Celtic last August, would end the various add-on earning potentials from that transfer.

It worked well for Celtic this summer with the Frimpong transfer from Leverkusen to Liverpool going through but there will be no such windfall this summer for Celtic if Matt O’Riley does leave Brighton.

Some you win, some you lose.

Conor Spence

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