Matt O'Riley: Brighton's Formal Bid for Celtic Midfielder Revealed

Brighton Makes Formal Bid for Celtic's Matt O'Riley

In a significant move in the transfer market, Brighton & Hove Albion has submitted a formal bid for Matt O'Riley, the talented midfielder currently playing for Scottish giants Celtic FC.

Negotiations in Progress

Although nothing has been finalized yet, both clubs are engaging in discussions, which are expected to continue over the next few days. This comes on the heels of Celtic rejecting multiple offers from Atalanta, who had made five bids for the Denmark international during this summer’s transfer window. The latest offer from Atalanta was reported to be around £21.5 million plus add-ons, which Celtic deemed insufficient.

O'Riley's Role at Celtic

Matt O'Riley enjoyed a remarkable season last year, making 49 appearances for Celtic, where he amassed 19 goals and 18 assists. His performance capped off with a standout contribution during the Scottish Premiership opener against Kilmarnock, where he set up one of the goals in a decisive 4-0 win.

Contractual Situation and Interest from Other Clubs

The 23-year-old midfielder is under contract at Celtic until 2027, and the club has previously turned down a bid of £20 million from Atlético Madrid. This shows that Celtic is reluctant to part ways with O'Riley, prompting manager Brendan Rodgers to emphasize that they will not sell unless they receive an offer that reflects the player's true value.

Rodgers Addresses Transfer Speculations

Brendan Rodgers articulated his stance on O'Riley's situation, stating: "There are obviously bids that will come in for Matt O'Riley but, I repeat, there is no need for us to sell and we don't want to sell... If there's an offer that comes in that fits the valuation of the player then that's a different matter."

This sentiment reflects the club's position in the market and their intention to retain key players who contribute significantly to the team’s success.

Competition for O'Riley's Signature

With Chelsea and several other clubs showing interest in O'Riley, the dynamics around his potential transfer continue to evolve. The presence of these heavyweights poses a challenge for Brighton as they look to secure O'Riley’s services.

Conclusion

As the transfer window remains open, the situation surrounding Matt O'Riley is one to watch closely. Brighton's formal bid marks an important development, but Celtic's firm stance suggests that they are in no rush to sell the promising midfielder. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how negotiations progress in the coming days.

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