- Borussia Dortmund register interest in Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley
- Seagulls could accept major loss on £25 million signing
- Atletico Madrid and Serie A clubs also monitoring situation
Borussia Dortmund have reportedly stepped up their interest in Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Matt O’Riley as uncertainty grows around the player’s long term future at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton recalled the Denmark international during the January transfer window after he spent the first half of the season on loan at Marseille, but he has endured a frustrating campaign.
Despite returning to the Premier League, O’Riley has struggled to force his way into Fabian Hurzeler’s plans and has made just four league appearances since January, totalling only 25 minutes on the pitch.
Borussia Dortmund make move for Matt O’Riley
According to Sky Sports Germany, Borussia Dortmund have already “enquired” about O’Riley’s availability ahead of the summer window.
Manager Niko Kovac reportedly wants to sign the former Celtic playmaker while Dortmund’s recruitment department view the Brighton midfielder as an attractive market opportunity.
The Bundesliga giants believe O’Riley still offers strong value despite Brighton limiting his opportunities since his return to the south coast.
Read more: How Pascal Gross reignited Brighton’s creativity after January return
Brighton facing potential financial loss
Brighton signed O’Riley in 2025 for an initial £25 million fee which could eventually rise to £30 million through add-ons.
However, the latest reports suggest the Seagulls may now have to accept a sizeable loss if they decide to sanction a transfer this summer.
Dortmund are thought to believe a deal could be completed for between £13 million and £17.3 million, a figure likely to attract interest from several clubs across Europe.
Atletico Madrid and Serie A clubs also interested
Dortmund are not alone in tracking the 25-year-old midfielder.
Atletico Madrid are also said to be monitoring the situation while a number of clubs in Italy are keeping a close eye on developments surrounding the Brighton player.
With O’Riley still highly regarded for his technical quality and creativity, there is growing expectation that interest in his signature will intensify once the transfer window officially opens.
Matt O’Riley admits uncertainty over Brighton future
Speaking to The Brighton Base in April, O’Riley admitted he was unsure what the future would hold beyond the end of the current campaign.
The midfielder made it clear he remains happy at Brighton but acknowledged his lack of playing time has been difficult to ignore.
“I’ve always said this. I love being here at Brighton. I love what the club stands for, the values, all the stuff I do with the foundation,” O’Riley said.
“I have a lot of good relationships with everyone at the club, but, at the same time, as a player, you naturally want to play. We train every day to improve ourselves, of course, but you also train to make an impact for your team on a match day.”
Also read: Why Brighton fans should think twice before blaming van Hecke
Summer decision now appears likely
After a difficult second half of the season, all signs now point towards a crucial summer decision for both Brighton and O’Riley.
The midfielder remains highly respected across Europe following his impressive spell at Celtic and despite his struggles for minutes in England, clubs still view him as a player capable of thriving in the right system.
With Borussia Dortmund now making contact and more clubs circling, Brighton could soon face an important choice over the future of one of their most expensive recent signings.
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