Matt O’Riley Set for Record Move to Brighton

Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley is on the verge of completing a record-breaking transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion, following an agreement in principle between the two clubs worth up to £30 million. The 23-year-old Danish international has been the target of multiple unsuccessful bids from Italian club Atalanta throughout the summer, but Brighton's acceptance of Celtic's valuation of £26 million has paved the way for the move. This fee surpasses the previous record of £25 million received from Al Ittihad for Jota. The deal is expected to include an additional £4 million in performance-related add-ons, contingent on O’Riley's contributions during his time in England. As a result, he is likely to miss Celtic's upcoming match against St Mirren as he travels to finalize the transfer. In light of O’Riley's impending departure, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is intensifying efforts to find a suitable replacement, with Mateusz Bogusz, an attacking midfielder from LAFC, being a potential target at around £8 million. O’Riley's transfer marks a significant achievement for Celtic, as he has been instrumental in the club's recent successes, winning three league titles, two Scottish Cups, and a League Cup. His impressive performances, particularly in the Champions League, have attracted attention from top clubs, including Atletico Madrid, which previously made a £20 million offer for him. With 19 goals and 18 assists last season, O’Riley has established himself as a key player in the Scottish league.