CELTIC are in negotiations with Brighton after the south coast club made a formal offer for Matt O’Riley.
The actual amount has not been revealed, but it is expected talks will continue between the club over the coming days, according to a report on Sky Sports.
The champions have already knocked back five offers from Europa League winners Atalanta for the 23-year-old London-born Danish international playmaker. The Serie A side stubbornly refused to meet the Hoops valuation which is likely to start at the £25million mark.
The latest unsuccessful bid from the Italians was £21.5million plus add-ons.
THREE CHEERS…Matt O’Riley, Nicolas Khun and Kyogo Furuhashi make a song and dance of it after the German’s strike in the 4-0 Flag Day win over Kilmarnock at Parkhead.
O’Riley, who won multiple Celtic Player of the Year awards following his impressive 19 goals with 18 assists in 49 appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ side last season, is under contract at Parkhead until the summer of 2027.
Brighton have been tracking the smooth operator for a while and I warned in CQN almost two weeks ago that they were a team who knew their way around the negotiating table when it comes to wheeling and dealing.
They received a British transfer record fee of £115million for Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo when he joined Chelsea in August 2023.
A year earlier, they had persuaded the Stamford Bridge club to part with £60million for Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella while also receiving £30million from Spurs in the same summer for Yves Bissouma.Plus we shouldn’t forget the £35million from Liverpool for Alexis Mac Allister in June 2023 and the £21million for Leandro Trossard from Arsenal five months earler.
So, at the expense of repeating myself, these guys are movers and shakers when it comes to getting the best deal for Brighton.
Michael Nicholson and Co will have to be on their A-game to get the best for Celtic.
ALEX GORDON
ALEX’S ANGLE: PUT US OUT OF OUR MISERY, MATT
