Report: Juventus eye Brighton star as Serie A side consider midfield reshuffle | OneFootball

Juventus Eye Brighton’s Matt O’Riley – But Deal Not Imminent

Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley is attracting serious interest from Italian giants Juventus, according to a report from Sky Sports, with Gianluca Di Marzio and Elliot Cook breaking the story. While no formal offer has been made at this stage, Juventus are reportedly keen on the 24-year-old and could make a move later in the window.

Brighton’s Pre-Season Star

O’Riley has caught the eye of new Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler in pre-season, and his performances have clearly not gone unnoticed outside the Premier League. Having joined from Celtic in 2024, O’Riley seemingly struggled with fitness and rhythm in his first season but did show glimpses of what to come.

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Sky Sports report: “O’Riley has impressed Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler during pre-season.” That alone suggests how central he could be to Brighton’s plans under their new manager.

Juventus Face Midfield Logjam

Despite their interest, Juventus must first offload midfielders before any move can progress. Sky Sports note: “Juve need to move some midfield players out before anything can be done, one of whom is expected to be Douglas Luiz.” With squad space and financial fair play considerations, it’s clear Juventus’ pursuit of O’Riley hinges on further movement.

Brighton in Strong Negotiating Position

Importantly, O’Riley has four years left on his current contract, giving Brighton significant leverage. As Sky point out, “It would not be easy to prise him away from Brighton.” The Seagulls have become adept at navigating the transfer market, often commanding top dollar for their talents, as seen with the departures of Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister in recent windows.

Unless Juventus present a serious offer — and soon — Brighton are under no pressure to sell.

Transfer Talks Still at Early Stage

This isn’t a done deal or even one close to materialising. Juventus’ interest is real, but Brighton are under no obligation to engage until the Italians come to the table with a serious offer. For now, O’Riley remains an important part of Hürzeler’s plans heading into the new Premier League campaign.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Brighton supporter’s perspective, this report will spark familiar feelings of unease — but also confidence. We’ve seen key players depart before, often for hefty sums, and yet the club continues to rebuild with remarkable success.

Matt O’Riley’s pre-season form, highlighted in Sky Sports’ report, shows he’s ready to take on a more prominent role in midfield under Hürzeler. He offers a rare blend of tactical discipline and creativity, something Brighton could build their next evolution around.

But Juventus sniffing around is no surprise — O’Riley fits their mould. At just 24, with four years left on his deal, Brighton are in full control. And with Juventus needing to offload players, including Douglas Luiz, there’s no urgency on Brighton’s part.

Supporters will hope the club resist any temptation to sell too early. Unless the bid exceeds expectations — and aligns with Brighton’s model of reinvesting smartly — there’s little to be gained from letting him go now. If anything, this could be a chance for O’Riley to raise his profile further in the Premier League before any potential move abroad.

In the end, we’ve seen this before. Brighton may lose players, but rarely do they lose control.