Celtic Sources: Brighton set sights on signing star Matt O'Riley

By Wayne Veysey

29th Oct, 2023 | 7:45am

Sources: Brighton set sights on signing Celtic star Matt O'Riley

Brighton are keeping close tabs on Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, sources have told Football Insider.

The Premier League club have been hugely impressed by the 22-year-old, who has made a big impact since joining the Hoops from MK Dons in January 2022.

It is believed that Brighton are among a number of Premier League clubs closely watching O’Riley.

Brighton’s scouts have regularly watched the Fulham academy product as they assess potential midfield options.

Celtic regard O’Riley as one of their prize assets and have him tied down to a contract until 2027.

He is a prolific scorer from midfield and delivered a Champions League midweek masterclass against Atletico Madrid in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw.

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The Denmark youth international has made 13 appearances so far this season with six goals and four assists in those outings.

It has not gone unnoticed by recruitment experts that two of those assists have come in the Champions League.

O’Riley made his mark at Fulham’s youth academy before being released by the senior team in 2020 and was then without a club before being signed by MK Dons in January 2021. He joined Celtic a year later.

The midfielder has become a fan favourite at Parkhead and has taken his game to a new level this season under Brendan Rodgers.

Premier League side Brighton were eyeing up midfield teammate Reo Hatate in the summer and sent scouts to watch the Japan international through last season, as revealed by Football Insider.

Ultimately Hatate remained in Glasgow and even put pen to paper on a contract extension at Parkhead ahead of possible January and summer 2024 interest.

In other news, Celtic star who is out of contract in the summer opens talks over deal.