- Tottenham have discussed a move for Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley
- Brighton value the former Celtic star at around £35 million
- Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are also tracking the Seagulls ace
Brighton could be set for another major summer transfer saga with Tottenham Hotspur now showing strong interest in midfielder Matt O’Riley following recruitment talks ahead of the window opening.
Brighton value the Denmark international at around £35 million after bringing him to the Amex from Celtic in a £25 million deal less than two years ago. While O’Riley’s time on the south coast has delivered mixed moments his quality and potential continue to attract admirers across Europe.
Tottenham are the latest club to enter the conversation as they begin planning for a crucial summer in north London. Despite uncertainty surrounding Spurs’ own Premier League future the club have already started identifying key midfield targets and O’Riley has emerged as a player of serious interest.
Brighton hold strong position over midfielder
From Brighton’s perspective there is little pressure to sell cheaply.
The Seagulls remain in a strong negotiating position and any potential deal would also include a sell-on payment to Celtic meaning Brighton are likely to stand firm on their valuation. It is another example of the club’s increasingly impressive recruitment model with O’Riley’s stock remaining high despite an inconsistent campaign.
The 25-year-old enjoyed an eye-catching spell on loan at Marseille earlier in the season where his technical quality passing range and attacking intelligence flourished in Ligue 1. After returning to Brighton during the second half of the campaign he found minutes harder to come by as Fabian Hurzeler rotated his squad during a demanding run-in.
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Roberto De Zerbi favourite attracting Europe wide interest
Even so O’Riley has continued to show flashes of the composure and creativity that made him one of Celtic’s standout performers before his move to Sussex.
Roberto De Zerbi also admires the midfielder after previously working with O’Riley and remains a huge fan of his abilities.That growing reputation has only intensified interest across the continent.
Tottenham are not alone in tracking the Brighton man either. Atletico Madrid Borussia Dortmund and Marseille are all believed to be monitoring developments closely ahead of the summer market.
Also read: Brighton eye £10m Olympiacos star as major summer squad shake-up looms
Brighton prepared for another busy transfer window
Brighton supporters may be disappointed to see another talented player linked with a move away but the club’s position remains a strong one. O’Riley is under contract the asking price is significant and the Seagulls have repeatedly shown they will only sell on their own terms.
If interest continues to build this could become one of Brighton’s biggest transfer stories of the summer.
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